Our Disputes and Risk practice group is seeking a Senior PA (resource coordinator) to provide excellent and professional PA support whilst having line managerial responsibility for a team of 5 PAs and administration assistants. This is a permanent full time position (09.00am - 17.00pm) based in our Bristol office.

Osborne Clarke is an international legal practice with over 270 Partners and more than 900 talented lawyers in 26 locations*. Our sector-based approach enables us to help our clients tackle the issues they are facing today, and prepare for the ones that they will face tomorrow. Advising them both comprehensively and commercially. We love working closely with our clients on new deals, products and solutions which will transform their businesses, markets and even sectors.

We consider our inclusive and approachable culture to be fundamental to our success. This was recognised at the Managing Partners Forum (MPF) Awards where we were awarded Best Corporate Culture 2019. In addition, Osborne Clarke ranks in the top five of RollOnFriday’s independent Firm of the Year employee survey for the last four years, scoring highly for its friendly culture and management. The firm was recognised as Bristol Law Society’s Law Firm of the Year in December 2018  and commended for its work at the FT Innovative Lawyer Awards in 2017 and 2018.

What we are looking for:

An individual who has strong PA experience as well as past experience of managing people.  In addition to managing a team, you will provide high level PA support to the Practice Group head, Service Line Lead and several lawyers of differing levels. 

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual looking for a new challenge in a vibrant and busy setting.

The position requires an individual with relevant people line management experience and knowledge, who is able to use their own initiative, have first class organisational skills and be an integral team player. Flexibility, diversity and proactive positivity are key attributes.

Key Responsibilities:

• To be responsible for the delivery of a seamless support service to the fee earning team alongside providing highly professional, effective and proactive PA support to a number of lawyers.
• Manage team workflow together with supporting and developing a total team of 5 made of PAs, Junior PAs and administration assistants. This would include (but is not limited to):-
•  Ensure appropriate cover for absences, and manage absence issues
• Coordinate workflow
• Identify training needs, coach, mentor and supervise
• Undertake yearly and half yearly performance reviews
• Provide assistance for team members during sickness / holidays as required
• Improve and maintain exemplary positive internal and external client and PA relationships
• Develop strong working relationships with staff and key clients in our international offices ensuring open and proactive communications at all times
• Proactively take responsibility for all travel arrangements, conference bookings and meeting room bookings for externally sponsored events and advise lawyers in advance Anticipate and avoid potential diary clashes, provide conference dial in or VC details for all organised meetings in advance
• Develop strong working relationships with our key clients. Anticipate, mitigate and resolve potential client relationship issues or concerns; embed necessary change, learn and pass on new learning to the team and colleagues
• Be a role model with a ‘can-do’, positive work ethic; be decisive, responsible, and take ownership of issues that arise
• Be flexible and display an openness to change, and drive change through the team
• Play an active role in managing and taking responsibility for the billing process, including complex fee arrangements for both domestic and international client relationships, working closely with our international offices and accounts team
• Proactively identify opportunities, actively contribute and be involved with ad-hoc projects as given by the team (and across OC)
• Support the Business Support Managers (and other Senior PAs) in the development and effectiveness of PA and admin working practices and efficiencies throughout OC
• Challenge, question and provide creative solutions to improve processes and share best practice to ensure greater efficiency across Practice Groups and locations
• Support Knowledge Lawyers with IT aspects of precedents, and be creative with technical solutions for all team members
• Demonstrate excellent Word skills, with the ability to amend and format large and complex documents where necessary
• Work closely with the PAs within the group to ensure all admin is dealt with in a timely manner including:
• Filing, scanning of post, drafting correspondence and communications
• File opening, assisting with CDD requirements, closing / arranging off-site storage of files

Key skills

• Strong natural leadership qualities with experience of managing, organising and delegating to people and resources including managing workflows
• Enthusiastic and positive approach
• Can demonstrate great organisational skills and be able to prioritise work
• Flexible and enthusiastic
• Is able to work under pressure with little supervision
• Ability to work independently and deliver under pressure
• Essential to have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Vital to have excellent time and performance management
• Can always work with confidentiality, discretion and diplomacy
• Ability to pay close attention to detail (in particular in managing complex billing arrangements)
• Excellent IT skills (Microsoft word, Excel, Outlook)
• Can always remain calm and friendly even in a crisis
• Ability to flexibly manage change
• Capable of taking initiative and developing solutions

Salary and benefits

We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits.