Legal Practice Manager in Chesterfield

The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is building a new organisation with an ambitious vision for the region, making the East Midlands more prosperous, sustainable and fairer, while creating opportunities for people and businesses.

Our Legal Services function plays a critical role in supporting that ambition, providing trusted advice, strong governance and effective legal support across the Authority.

We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Legal Practice Manager to help shape and lead the operational management of our Legal Services function.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who understands what makes a high-performing legal practice work effectively behind the scenes — from systems, processes and performance to financial management, technology, governance and people.

The role

Working closely with the General Counsel, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the Legal Services function, ensuring the service operates efficiently, effectively and in line with professional, statutory and organisational requirements.

You’ll be responsible for developing modern practice management approaches, improving processes and systems, supporting performance and financial management, and ensuring the legal team has the infrastructure and resources it needs to deliver an excellent service.

A key part of the role will be acting as the strategic owner of the Legal Services Case Management system, alongside critical document and data storage. You’ll ensure these systems are used effectively, continuously improved and managed in accordance with information governance, data protection and statutory requirements.

You’ll also work collaboratively across Legal, Governance and Information Governance, as well as with practice managers and equivalent roles across the region, to share learning, harmonise processes and embed best practice.

What you’ll be doing

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing comprehensive operational oversight of the Legal Services function, ensuring effective administrative, financial, governance and operational arrangements.
• Developing and implementing innovative practice management approaches that improve efficiency, resilience and service quality.
• Acting as the strategic owner of the Legal Services Case Management system, ensuring optimal utilisation, continuous improvement and compliance.
• Overseeing critical legal documents and data, ensuring appropriate storage, access, retention, confidentiality and information governance.
• Developing and improving systems, processes, procedures, templates and reporting arrangements across Legal Services.
• Working with colleagues across Legal, Governance and Information Governance to harmonise ways of working where this improves consistency, compliance and service delivery.
• Leading compliance activity and proactively identifying and mitigating legal, regulatory and operational risks.
• Providing expert procedural and operational advice to the legal team and senior managers.
• Using data, performance information and management reporting to identify trends, drive improvement and support informed decision-making.
• Monitoring expenditure, income, forecasts, commitments and financial risks, supporting the budget holder to maintain a cost-effective and sustainable service.
• Identifying and escalating financial, operational and compliance issues, providing clear options and recommendations for action.
• Leading and developing the Practice Management Team, creating a positive, accountable and high-performing culture.
• Overseeing the legal team's IT resources, including software and hardware, and working with internal and external providers to maximise the value of technology.
• Building effective regional networks with practice managers and equivalent operational leads to benchmark approaches, share learning and embed best practice.
• Supporting directorate-wide improvement initiatives across Legal, Governance and Information Governance.
• Managing and resolving complaints effectively and in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Supporting procurement, contract management and supplier relationships.
• Developing and implementing policies, procedures and business processes that support the strategic priorities of Legal Services.
• Leading and supporting projects to agreed objectives, timescales and budgets.

What we’re looking for

We're looking for someone with significant experience in business or practice management, ideally within a legal practice or local authority legal services environment.

You’ll understand the operational requirements of a legal services function and have the confidence to work strategically with senior managers while also being comfortable getting into the detail of systems, processes, performance and finance.

You’ll bring experience of:

• Managing business and office operations within a legal practice or legal services department.
• Developing and improving business processes, systems, policies and procedures.
• Managing complex electronic systems across multiple platforms.
• Legal case management systems and associated document/data management.
• Harmonising processes and ways of working across related services.
• Working across organisational or regional boundaries to share and embed best practice.
• Budget monitoring, financial reporting, forecasting and identifying financial risks.
• Management and supervision, including working strategically with departmental management teams.
• Project management and delivering projects to agreed objectives, timescales and budgets.
• Contract management and supplier relationships.
• Complaint management and resolution.
• Business planning, service planning and financial management.

Knowledge of FOI, data protection and procurement would be desirable, as would an understanding of the services delivered by an Authority's Legal Services function.

You’ll hold a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject, such as Business Management, or have equivalent relevant experience. An MBA or equivalent qualification would be desirable.

The priorities for this role

This is a key opportunity to help shape how EMCCA's Legal Services function operates.

You’ll be expected to challenge established approaches, identify opportunities for improvement and develop practical, innovative ways of working that improve efficiency, resilience and the experience of colleagues and customers.

2. Working independently

You’ll have the autonomy to manage a specialist area of responsibility, make operational decisions within your delegated authority and take ownership of complex issues.

You’ll need to be confident working independently, using your judgement to identify risks, solve problems and determine when issues require escalation.

3. Ownership of the Legal Services Case Management system

You’ll be the strategic owner of the Legal Services Case Management system and associated processes, ensuring the system delivers maximum value to the service.

You’ll oversee its development, utilisation, governance and compliance, alongside critical document and data storage arrangements.

This is a significant opportunity to use technology and data to transform legal practice management.

4. Communication

You’ll be a confident and effective communicator, able to work with people at all levels and explain complex operational, financial and procedural matters clearly.

You’ll build strong relationships across Legal, Governance, Information Governance and the wider Authority, as well as developing networks with partners and equivalent roles across the region.

This is a unique opportunity to join a new combined county authority and help establish the foundations of a modern, effective and high-performing Legal Services function.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Shape innovative approaches to legal practice management.
• Lead the development and optimisation of key legal systems.
• Influence how Legal, Governance and Information Governance work together.
• Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Work closely with the General Counsel and senior leaders.
• Build relationships and share best practice across the region.
• Make a tangible contribution to how EMCCA operates and delivers for the East Midlands.

Our values

Our values shape our culture and influence how we work with colleagues, partners and the communities we serve.

Lifting our region

We put wider outcomes ahead of personal or organisational gain and act as passionate advocates for our place, policies and programmes.

Working together

We foster relationships across organisational boundaries, provide constructive challenge and bring diverse partners together.

Making an impact

We turn ideas into action, clearly articulate the rationale for our proposals and focus on delivering meaningful improvements.

Being human

We embrace diverse perspectives, connect with people at a human level and bring an authentic approach to our relationships.

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