PA Services Manager in Manchester

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Senior Practice Group Support Manager to be based in our Leeds, Manchester or Birmingham office. This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of our Practice Group Support function, shaping how our support teams deliver PA and operational services to the business. You will lead and develop a team of Practice Group Support Managers, driving a consistent, high‑quality service that enables our lawyers to deliver outstanding results for our clients. As a strategic influencer, you will partner closely with senior stakeholders across the firm, championing continuous improvement, identifying opportunities for innovation, and ensuring our support model evolves in line with the changing needs of the business. You will also act as a trusted advisor across the business, advocating for the support function and shaping the capabilities of our teams to meet the firm’s priorities and the needs of our people. If you enjoy navigating complexity, empowering teams and delivering meaningful, long-term change in a dynamic and collaborative environment, this role offers significant visibility and impact.

Role And Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and influence a team of Practice Group Support Managers, creating a high‑performing, collaborative culture.
• Drive and implement key support team related strategies and initiatives, ensuring clear success measures are set and achieved.
• Influence and project manage key business strategies and initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with other key International business services (e.g. HR, Finance) functions to provide a seamless quality end to end service to the business.
• Deputise (ad hoc) for the International Head of Support Services, acting as an advocate for the support team function at a global level.
• Act as a senior manager to key stakeholders at a strategic level, being a key influencer particularly in relation to change in the support team function.
• Challenge and explore team structures to improve efficiency, effectiveness and overall team performance resulting in optimum performance and service to the lawyers.
• Shape the capabilities of the support team function to meet with the changing expectations and demands of the business.
• Monitor, measure and report on Practice Group Support team opportunities and projects within agreed formats and timescales.

Skills And Experience

• Significant experience of managing teams of PAs or support staff, ideally in a professional services environment.
• Proven ability to influence and harness the talent and resources across global support team services and the lawyer community to achieve long-term business objectives.
• Experience delivering strategic and/or operational change by building positive senior relationships and using strong listening, diplomacy and influencing skills.
• Well-developed commercial acumen, with the ability to contribute to the wider business strategy.
• Engaging communication skills with the ability to present ideas clearly to different levels of stakeholders.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, in an autonomous and independent way.
• Competent in the use of information systems and possesses sound project management skills.
• Ability to challenge constructively combined with high levels of resilience.
• Experience in organisational development and change management.
• Ability to travel occasionally as required by business need.

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world. We’re fair, transparent and equitable. We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance. We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working. We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support. We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion. We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs. We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure. We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement. We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together. We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations. Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process. We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.