Operations Director

About us We are recognised as one of the UK's most forward-thinking law firms. Our success is down to excellence in our approach to our clients, our people and our business. We have a confident and coherent strategy that has been rewarded by topping the Roll on Friday 'Firm of the Year' poll for Management, Culture and Openness. Our people are at the heart of our business. We are renowned for our unstuffy and supportive culture, encouraging all our people (lawyers and business service professionals alike) to make the most of their talent with stretching careers in a fast growing and exciting environment. We have a growing international reach, particularly in Europe but also across Asia and the US, and we are the largest member of the Osborne Clarke International organisation. We have a clear strategy for the next five years - our 2020 vision - preparing the firm for a sustainable future. Some recent accolades Law Firm of the Year, The Lawyer 2015 Law Firm of the Year, Legal Business 2015 Excellence in Talent Management, HR in Law 2015 Best Company Culture, AllAboutLaw 2016 Best Law Firm for Management and Culture, RollOnFriday 2016 The role and the opportunity We are looking for an Operations Director (OD) to join our Projects, Real Estate & Finance (PREF) group. PREF is the largest practice group within Osborne Clarke, with in excess of 150 employees and 39 partners bringing ??40M in business each year In this role you will be working very closely with Tim Simmonds, Practice Head (PH) to develop, organise and drive the Group's strategic business activities. The OD guides and supports the PH in their leadership role, and ensures that the strategy, plans and structures of the Practice Group are in place and are aligned to the firm's strategic goals. The OD will play a critical role as the firm implements its 2020 vision to achieve effective integration and consistency of approach across the range of working practices from client targeting to financial management. The main objective is to take overall responsibility for the day to day non fee-earning operations of the Practice Group and to provide a high quality managerial support service, both on a strategic and operational level, in order to optimise the productivity and profitability of the PH, Partners and lawyers. To provide hands on business support and guidance to a Practice Group will require the OD to assist the PH and other Partners with:- the efficient operational management of the Group;implementation of the firm's strategy and the Group business plan;overseeing the delivery of HR within the PG in conjunction with the central HR team including pay review, bonus awards, recruitment etc;the financial management and profitability of the Group;working closely with partners and lawyers on their career progression;delivering change projects; andall activities to support in the promotion of the firm's cultures and values. Key responsibilities Rapidly win the confidence and respect of the leadership team and PartnersDemonstrate a high level of professional expertise and insight into the commercial context of the firmHaving the ability to successfully build rapport, communicate and influence people at all levels of the businessDeliver business projects, demonstrating innovation, efficiency and people management skillsTo have a hands on, can-do approach and be solution focusedTo run budgets effectively and work within performance targets Specific responsibilities and areas of focus will include: Practice Management Preparation of partner hire business cases, including financials, for the Executive Board approvalProvisions of business analysis and benchmarking of the PG's performance against its peers and competitorsTo implement, oversee and manage projects Human Resources Ensure we maintain the right resource levels throughout the PGDelivery of our annual partner appraisal and remuneration processManaging issues relating to retention and remuneration with the HR teamTo provide support and develop business cases to support core partnership activities and the promotion process Financial Management To monitor the PG's financial performance and to regularly review the Group's profitability with the PH and partnersAssisting the PH in preparing annual budgets and consulting with the relevant partner groupsMonitoring the effectiveness of client billing and pricing decisions The candidate Experience of working in a professional services environment, with exposure to a partnership structureDegree educated, with relevant professional qualificationsRelevant experience gained ideally in a Project Management or general management roleProven experience of acting in an advisory role, with excellent people skillsHighly developed understanding of business strategyProven experience of assisting and delivering the management of change. Key skills Highly credible, with the ability to immediately engage all audiences, including Executive Board, Partners, Lawyers and Business Services ProfessionalsAbility and preference for managing people, projects and communications in a transparent and open mannerPractical, pragmatic and business focussedStrong consultancy and influencing skills - influential, persuasive, articulate, objective, able to motivate and inspire colleagues and show appropriate assertiveness when necessaryA strategic thinker with a strong track record of project and business change programme deliveryAn existing and effective network of professionals at leadership level across a relevant set of businesses or a proven ability to build such networks swiftly and effectively