Description
The team
The primary objective of this team is to oversee all aspects of resource allocation within the group(s), managing the daily deployment of lawyers to various matters. The goal is to meet business objectives while balancing client needs and individual career aspirations. The team works closely with finance and senior management to enhance efficiency and agility and collaborates with HR and leadership to support individual performance and development.
We are currently seeking an experienced and proactive Resource Manager to work with Team Leaders, Group Leaders, and the Operations Team, helping drive the firm's commitment to higher organisational performance and a diverse, inclusive culture. Reporting directly to the Head of Resource Management, you will support teams in the Insurance and/or Commercial Groups.
The role
1. This is a people-centric role that relies on building effective relationships with staff across all levels of the firm.
2. Key Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):
Work Allocation
3. Develop a strong understanding of the department's needs, ensuring you're visible and accessible as the key contact for work allocation and resourcing.
4. Actively engage with partners and associates to understand client requirements and business needs, ensuring effective resourcing decisions.
5. Gain detailed knowledge of individual skills, development needs, and career goals to inform resourcing decisions.
6. Take full responsibility for work allocation across the department on behalf of the Partners, ensuring fair and consistent distribution in line with diversity goals.
7. Apply commercial considerations to work allocation, promoting appropriate staffing and alternative delivery options where necessary.
8. Conduct regular one-to-one consultations with partners and associates around work allocation, workloads and balance.
9. Updating, tracking and monitoring capacity information on a weekly basis and maintaining ad-hoc updates.
10. Proactively manage and improve work allocation tools (such as the BigHand Resource Management Tool).
11. Track and analyse individual activity, identifying any discrepancies in time recording, and escalate issues when required.
Productivity
12. Monitor chargeable hours and utilisation across individuals, associate levels, and teams.
13. Support individuals in improving productivity while balancing commercial needs and workload distribution.
14. Enforce the timesheet policy, encouraging best practices and providing training as needed.
15. Coordinate absences (holidays, special leave, unpaid leave) to ensure resourcing needs are always met.
16. Work with Partners and other stakeholders to manage non-billable commitments.
17. Assist with the joiner/leaver/returner process, including work reallocation and onboarding.
18. Produce accurate, commercially focused Management Information (MI), identifying trends, opportunities, and risks.
Other Duties
19. Strive for continuous improvement and innovation to support the firm's performance.
20. Collaborate with other functions, such as Finance, HR, and Business Development, to drive business performance and support resourcing and recruitment efforts.
21. Develop scalable and efficient systems, tools, and processes to support the firm.
22. Promote and encourage collaboration across the firm.
23. Share knowledge and best practices across the department and business.
About You
Technical Skills, Qualifications, and Experience
24. Significant experience in resource management, work allocation, or planning, ideally within a large professional or corporate environment.
25. Experience working within a mid- to large-sized law firm is advantageous but not essential.
26. Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to quickly build relationships and adapt to various audiences.
27. Comfortable in launching new roles and services, leveraging best practices, and working independently without a set structure.
28. Strong focus on day-to-day resource management and delivering continuous positive impact on business performance.
29. Effective influencing skills at all levels.
30. Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills, with the ability to exercise sound judgment on when to escalate issues.
31. Ability to manage tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment, balancing competing demands.
32. Exceptional time management and organisational skills.
33. Confident and resilient when facing challenges, with experience in conflict resolution.
34. Commercially minded with strong risk management and business acumen.
35. A trusted advisor providing balanced and pragmatic resource management advice.
36. Invests in building strong, productive relationships.
37. Integrity-driven with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters discreetly.
38. Proactive, positive, and assertive approach with flexibility.
39. Agile and adaptable, with the ability to step in and support other Resource Managers during periods of leave or absence, ensuring smooth resource management across the firm.
40. Strong IT skills, including data analysis in Excel.
41. Experience with resource management software is desirable, and familiarity with the BigHand Resource Management Tool is an advantage.
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