Legal Practice Manager (opens in a new window)

We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

LegalPractice Manager

Salary:£45,529 – £50,908 per annum
Directorate: Legal & Governance
Reports to: General Counsel
Grade: F16
Politically Restricted: No

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

Our LegalServices function plays a critical role in supporting that ambition, providingtrusted advice, strong governance and effective legal support across theAuthority.

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

This is anexciting opportunity for someone who understands what makes a high-performinglegal practice work effectively behind the scenes — from systems, processes andperformance to financial management, technology, governance and people.

The role

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

You'll beresponsible for developing modern practice management approaches, improvingprocesses and systems, supporting performance and financial management, andensuring the legal team has the infrastructure and resources it needs todeliver an excellent service.

A key part ofthe role will be acting as the strategic owner of the Legal Services CaseManagement system, alongside critical document and data storage. You'll ensurethese systems are used effectively, continuously improved and managed inaccordance with information governance, data protection and statutoryrequirements.

You'll alsowork collaboratively across Legal, Governance and Information Governance, aswell as with practice managers and equivalent roles across the region, to sharelearning, harmonise processes and embed best practice.

What you'llbe doing

Yourresponsibilities will include:

• Providing comprehensive operationaloversight of the Legal Services function, ensuring effectiveadministrative, financial, governance and operational arrangements.
• Developing and implementinginnovative practice management approaches that improve efficiency,resilience and service quality.
• Acting as the strategic owner ofthe Legal Services Case Management system, ensuring optimal utilisation,continuous improvement and compliance.
• Overseeing critical legal documentsand data, ensuring appropriate storage, access, retention, confidentialityand information governance.
• Developing and improving systems,processes, procedures, templates and reporting arrangements across LegalServices.
• Working with colleagues acrossLegal, Governance and Information Governance to harmonise ways of workingwhere this improves consistency, compliance and service delivery.
• Leading compliance activity andproactively identifying and mitigating legal, regulatory and operationalrisks.
• Providing expert procedural andoperational advice to the legal team and senior managers.
• Using data, performance informationand management reporting to identify trends, drive improvement and supportinformed decision-making.
• Monitoring expenditure, income,forecasts, commitments and financial risks, supporting the budget holderto maintain a cost-effective and sustainable service.
• Identifying and escalatingfinancial, operational and compliance issues, providing clear options andrecommendations for action.
• Leading and developing the PracticeManagement Team, creating a positive, accountable and high-performingculture.
• Overseeing the legal team's ITresources, including software and hardware, and working with internal andexternal providers to maximise the value of technology.
• Building effective regionalnetworks with practice managers and equivalent operational leads tobenchmark approaches, share learning and embed best practice.
• Supporting directorate-wideimprovement initiatives across Legal, Governance and InformationGovernance.
• Managing and resolving complaintseffectively and in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Supporting procurement, contractmanagement and supplier relationships.
• Developing and implementingpolicies, procedures and business processes that support the strategicpriorities of Legal Services.
• Leading and supporting projects toagreed objectives, timescales and budgets.

What we'relooking for

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

You'llunderstand the operational requirements of a legal services function and havethe confidence to work strategically with senior managers while also beingcomfortable getting into the detail of systems, processes, performance andfinance.

You'll bringexperience of:

• Managing business and officeoperations within a legal practice or legal services department.
• Developing and improving businessprocesses, systems, policies and procedures.
• Managing complex electronic systemsacross multiple platforms.
• Legal case management systems andassociated document/data management.
• Harmonising processes and ways ofworking across related services.
• Working across organisational orregional boundaries to share and embed best practice.
• Budget monitoring, financialreporting, forecasting and identifying financial risks.
• Management and supervision,including working strategically with departmental management teams.
• Project management and deliveringprojects to agreed objectives, timescales and budgets.
• Contract management and supplierrelationships.
• Business planning, service planningand financial management.

Knowledge ofFOI, data protection and procurement would be desirable, as would anunderstanding of the services delivered by an Authority's Legal Servicesfunction.

You’ll hold adegree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject, such as BusinessManagement, or have equivalent relevant experience. An MBA or equivalentqualification would be desirable.

The prioritiesfor this role

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

You'll beexpected to challenge established approaches, identify opportunities forimprovement and develop practical, innovative ways of working that improveefficiency, resilience and the experience of colleagues and customers.

2. Workingindependently

You'll have theautonomy to manage a specialist area of responsibility, make operationaldecisions within your delegated authority and take ownership of complex issues.

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

3. Ownershipof the Legal Services Case Management system

You'll be thestrategic owner of the Legal Services Case Management system and associatedprocesses, ensuring the system delivers maximum value to the service.

You’ll overseeits development, utilisation, governance and compliance, alongside criticaldocument and data storage arrangements.

This is asignificant opportunity to use technology and data to transform legal practicemanagement.

4.Communication

You'll be aconfident and effective communicator, able to work with people at all levelsand explain complex operational, financial and procedural matters clearly.

You'll buildstrong relationships across Legal, Governance, Information Governance and thewider Authority, as well as developing networks with partners and equivalentroles across the region.

This is aunique opportunity to join a new combined county authority and help establishthe foundations of a modern, effective and high-performing Legal Servicesfunction.

You'll have theopportunity to:

• Shape innovative approaches tolegal practice management.
• Lead the development andoptimisation of key legal systems.
• Influence how Legal, Governance andInformation Governance work together.
• Drive continuous improvement andoperational excellence.
• Work closely with the GeneralCounsel and senior leaders.
• Build relationships and share bestpractice across the region.
• Make a tangible contribution to howEMCCA operates and delivers for the East Midlands.

Our values

Our valuesshape our culture and influence how we work with colleagues, partners and thecommunities we serve.

Lifting ourregion

We put wideroutcomes ahead of personal or organisational gain and act as passionateadvocates for our place, policies and programmes.

Workingtogether

We fosterrelationships across organisational boundaries, provide constructive challengeand bring diverse partners together.

Making animpact

We turn ideasinto action, clearly articulate the rationale for our proposals and focus ondelivering meaningful improvements.

Being human

We embracediverse perspectives, connect with people at a human level and bring anauthentic approach to our relationships.

If you're anexperienced legal practice or business manager who is passionate aboutimproving systems, processes and performance, and you want to help build amodern Legal Services function from the ground up, we'd love to hear from you.

This is anopportunity to bring your expertise, ideas and leadership to a new organisationand help create the operational foundations that will support EMCCA's LegalServices function for years to come.

ClosingDate: 26/10/2026

ProposedInterview Date: 16/11/2026

• Up to 10 days paid leave in a 12-month period for caring responsibilities
• A hybrid work model with remote working opportunities
• Maternity, Paternity, IVF, Adopters and Foster Carers support
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 30 days holiday (plus 2 with continuous service) + bank holidays + your birthday (up to five extra days through salary sacrifice)

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