EMG Solicitors is an award winning Legal 500 law firm with offices across the North but acting nationally, specialising in Court of Protection, Deputyships, Mental Health Law, Family Law and Mediation, Residential Conveyancing, Dispute Resolution, Employment Law, Education Law and Wills, Trusts & Probate services.
Our mission is to provide the legal support our clients require in order to achieve anything from their basic needs to their wildest dreams and everything in between.
What are we looking for?
We are currently looking to recruit an experienced and forward‑thinking Head of Workplaces to lead the strategic and operational management of our workplace environments across six offices across the UK, with additional offices planned as part of our growth strategy. This senior leadership role will ensure our firm’s workplaces are safe, efficient, welcoming, and aligned with the needs of a modern, progressive law firm.
Where will you be based?
This role can be based from any of our offices or be fully remote, but we would expect you to travel and work from any of the offices from time to time.
How many hours will you be working?
This is a full‑time role which is 35 hours per week, however at EMG Solicitor we work flexibly, it’s not a 9-to‑5 role, but we do expect the work to be done, when you do it can be largely up to yourself, your Team Leader and the requirements of your clients.
Brief overview of the role
The Head of Workplaces will build and lead a dedicated team responsible for workplace experience, facilities management, health & safety, office fit outs, building maintenance, and continuous improvement of our physical environments.
What will we expect from you:
Strategic Leadership & Planning
* Develop and deliver the firm’s workplace strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, future growth, and cultural values.
* Lead planning and execution of new office openings, expansions, and consolidation projects across the UK.
* Create and maintain a multi‑year workplace roadmap covering capacity, compliance, technology requirements, and sustainability targets.
* Manage stakeholder and cross‑site change effectively, running structured governance for office set up projects, steering groups and RAG reporting, partnering with the Heads of BD, QRC, IT and P&C as necessary
* Lead change management to ensure smooth transitions and user adoption
* Develop and deliver our storage strategy for vital client documentation, such as Wills
* Build, manage, and mentor a multi‑disciplinary Workplaces Team covering facilities, H&S, supplier contracts management and reception/front‑of‑house.
* Establish clear KPIs, service levels, and performance reporting frameworks.
Office Operations & Facilities Management
* Lead the team which oversees all aspects of day‑to‑day operations across our growing network of UK offices, ensuring they are well maintained, well presented, secure and meet professional standards.
* Lead procurement and management of external suppliers and contractors, ensuring quality, value, and compliance.
* Develop and implement preventative maintenance schedules, asset management processes, and operational standards.
Health, Safety & Compliance
* Act as the firm’s senior point of accountability for Health & Safety, ensuring full compliance with UK legislation and best practice.
* Oversee risk assessments, audits, incident reporting, and safety training across all offices.
* Lead business continuity planning and support emergency response procedures.
* Oversee the leadership of end‑to‑end project management for office refurbishments, relocations, and fit‑outs, including design coordination, contractor oversight, and budget control.
* Ensure workplaces are modern, inclusive, sustainable, and suitable for hybrid working.
* Deliver projects on time, within budget, and to high‑quality standards.
* Own the Workplaces budget, including forecasting, capex planning, and cost optimisation.
* Oversee the negotiation and management of contracts for cleaning, security, maintenance, catering, utilities, and specialist services.
* Ensure that our workplaces and supplier management is compliant with BCorp standards and secures our ongoing BCorp status, with specific reference to carbon monitoring and environmental standards
Workplace Experience & Culture
* Ensure all offices provide a high‑quality environment that supports productivity, wellbeing, and client service.
* Lead initiatives that enhance the employee workplace experience, including space planning, environmental improvements, and service enhancements.
To be able to perform this job you will need.
* Experience in developing and managing a workplace strategy across a multi‑site, constantly growing, nationally based organisation
* Significant experience in multi‑site workplace, facilities, or estates management, ideally within professional services or other regulated environments.
* Proven experience leading office fit‑out projects, refurbishments, or new office openings.
* Strong understanding of UK Health & Safety legislation and workplace compliance.
* Demonstrable experience building and leading high‑performing teams.
* Excellent project management, supplier management, and negotiation skills.
* Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on operational leadership.
* Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including at senior leadership level.
* Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across UK sites.
What we’re Looking For
A little bit about the colleague we’re looking for:
We’re looking for a colleague who aligns with our core values of:
* Cooperation - we proactively support our clients and each other.
* Courage - we are ambitious and think big.
* Integrity - we are open and transparent.
* Kindness - we value people, communities, having fun and being happy.
We want someone who will work proactively to deliver exceptional client service through the knowledge and skills they bring to the role. We want someone who will go the extra mile for both their clients and their colleagues, so we can all achieve anything from our basic needs to our wildest dreams and everything in between.
What you can expect from us:
* Firm wide annual bonus scheme, in addition to a competitive salary
* 5% Pension employer contributions offered through Standard Life
* 25 days holiday entitlement per year (FTE) with an additional three days off at Christmas
* 5 extra days paid leave on your 5‑year anniversary – (and every 5 years thereafter)
* Life Assurance providing your loved ones with a 3x salary death in service benefit
* Employee Assistance Program – a Freephone number you can call 24/7 for personal, legal and financial issues; to arrange counselling and a GP helpline
* EMG Rewards – Vivup well‑being & Tastecard apps offering discounts across a large number of retailers & restaurants
* £50 Gift card on your birthday as well as a late start or early finish
* £50 Gift card at Christmas plus Christmas closure (subject to variation)
* Cycle to work scheme
* Salary Sacrifice Electric Car scheme
* Fruit and refreshments in each office
* If you want to take the family or friends out, we have two passes for Beamish open air museum which you can book out and take up to 10 people
* Opportunity to join EMG working groups, such as our Green Team, Better Health at Work Team, Justice, Empowerment, Diversity and Inclusion Team (JEDI) & our Community Team
* Regular surveys to understand issues our team care about. Includes regular guest speakers on a wide range of topics
At EMG Solicitors, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive recruitment experience that reflects our values of Cooperation, Courage, Excellence, Integrity and Kindness. If you require any adjustments to help you apply or to fully participate in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.
NO AGENCY SUPPORT IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME FOR THE ROLE
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