Operations Manager

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Salary £40-45,000 p.a. (pro rata) depending on experience

Full or part time applications welcome

Full time hours of work are 9am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5.30pm Friday

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements will be considered

Appointment is subject to Chambers' usual six-month probationary period

Garden Court North (GCN) Chambers are seeking an experienced and dynamic Operations Manager (OM) to join our senior leadership team, reporting directly to Chambers and working alongside the Head of Practice Management (HoPM) and Finance Manager (FM).

GCN is a progressive barristers' Chambers, with a commitment to providing publicly funded legal services. Our self-employed barrister members and our employed staff work in a profession with regulatory expectations and obligations.

Key responsibilities

As Operations Manager, you will:

• Lead on and manage the administrative operations of GCN Chambers
• Develop, review and deliver a range of business and strategic plans for GCN to ensure efficiency, compliance and long-term sustainability
• Build and maintain a strong and efficient team of administrative staff (you will line manage Chambers' Cleaner, any Office Assistant and any temporary staff)
• Provide written reports to Chambers and its standing committees
• Lead on and identify Chambers' premises and equipment needs
• Be responsible for all contractual obligations and negotiations relating to premises and equipment (including services, insurance and maintenance contracts)
• Liaise with IT providers to maintain and develop all IT services and review and advise Chambers as to IT and cyber security requirements and costs
• Develop and maintain governance arrangements and accurate records to ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, Bar Standards Board guidance, GDPR, ICO and industry best practice to deliver an efficient, secure and accountable organisation
• Develop and maintain a secure information management system and H&S policies
• Support staff and members within Chambers, including identifying well-being needs and being a point of reference for equality and diversity, working closely with the relevant standing committees
• Support FM with payroll and on-line bank transactions relating to Chambers' business.

Key skills

• Proven experience in operations or practice management, ideally within legal or regulated professional services
• Strong leadership and team-building skills
• Excellent strategic planning, organisational and communication abilities
• Confidence in working independently and managing multiple stakeholders
• Transferrable knowledge of governance, HR and IT systems
• Familiarity with financial processes

GCN Chambers occupies a modern spacious premises in Blackfriars House, a Bruntwood Works pioneer building offering a collaborative working space with a library, a gym, a communal lounge and independent coffee shop.

We offer excellent working conditions in a friendly and modern environment; training opportunities; a contributory pension scheme; and 25 days paid annual holiday in addition to statutory bank holidays (with pro rata entitlement for part time staff) and any weekdays when Chambers is closed.

Applications should be by detailed covering letter and C.V. via Chambers' website.

We encourage swift applications and will shortlist for interview upon receipt of sufficient applications.

Chambers is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar and as an employer