This firm, based on a culture of professional excellence, collaboration, innovation, thought leadership and entrepreneurship, is seeking a Manager, Legal Support Services who will provide training, advice, support and direction to members of the team. This position offers a hybrid work environment.
Your tasks:
-Identify needs for the efficient production and processing of the work of legal assistants (30-40 people).
-Work collaboratively with respect to the proposal, allocation and maintenance of legal assistant resources, including recommending teams, providing feedback and recommending a workplace for legal assistants and lawyers based on practice requirements.
-Ensure the development of legal assistants in order to achieve the objective of creating strong work units that focus on cooperation. This includes finding ways to assess skills, software and applications, and determining the most appropriate training tools and methods.
-Manage absences and plan vacations to ensure adequate coverage.
-Coach employees and manage staff in hybrid work mode.
-Train legal assistants and lawyers on success factors. Assist lawyers with performance-related discussions.
-Ensure efficiency and productivity improvements, implementation of constructive disciplinary measures, a formal performance improvement plan, or recommendation for additional training.
-Lead activities that promote team cohesion.
-Organize meetings with legal assistants, e.g., brainstorming sessions, focus groups, informal engagement activities, etc.
-Identify process improvements, including improving workflow and optimizing the use of AI and mentoring Continuous Improvement Committee members to achieve team goals.
-Lead the employee performance management process, which includes setting performance objectives and communicating and collecting ongoing feedback. Obtain feedback from clients (lawyers) on a regular basis.
-Recommend annual salary increases.
-Act as the primary liaison between counsel and legal assistants, and between management and legal assistants.
-Manage concerns that arise within teams of lawyers and legal assistants.
-Identify problems, develop innovative solutions, communicate with relevant parties and follow up on these problems until they are resolved.
-Work collaboratively to meet operational needs, share management issues and best practices, improve efficiency, standardize work processes and participate in Legal Support Services projects.
-Maintain records and see to the compilation and preparation of reports concerning statistics related to personnel or services.
-Analyze data to identify themes and trends. Present strong recommendations for change.
-Collaborate in the annual preparation of financial and staffing budgets. Conduct verification and preparation of monthly reports.
The ideal candidate will be distinguished by the following profile:
-College diploma in administration, human resources or other relevant field, or equivalent work experience.
-Minimum of 10 years of experience, including a minimum of three years in managing large teams, ideally in a professional services environment.
-Well-developed problem-solving, conflict management and negotiation skills, including the ability to resolve performance and discipline issues. Ability to seek and implement creative solutions.
-Excellent analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills.
-Demonstrated numeracy skills.
-Strong written and oral communication skills (in French and English).
-Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively.
-Intermediate knowledge of the Office suite.
-Achievements in change management and strong interest in continuous process improvement.
-Recognized skills for organizing and prioritizing work in a fast-paced environment on a national platform.
-Ability to build strong relationships based on trust in order to achieve support and results.
What is offered to you:
-Exceptional benefits from day one including firm-paid group insurance coverage, a wellness program and a technology expense allowance.
-Competitive compensation and generous time off, including a day off for volunteer activities and a day off for your birthday.
-Opportunities for growth and professional development at all levels, in a culture that fully encourages and values dialogue-based feedback.
-The opportunity to get involved in the community and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
-A collaborative and cohesive culture where lawyers and business teams work together towards a common goal.
Do you want to join the ranks of a firm that emphasizes the development of the full potential of its employees? Give us the privilege of getting to know you!