Resource Manager in London

At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why many are incredibly longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 100 years.

We are where you need us to be. We are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. Our international footprint is extensive and committed. We are at our best tackling complexity and navigating change. We work alongside you on demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you, including technology and digitalisation. All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition - which is to help you achieve yours.

The Opportunity

• Provide expert knowledge and advice on work allocation balancing the profitability needs of the business and the career aspirations and wellbeing of our people.
• Solve complex work allocation problems and anticipate business challenges that might arise, advising a range of stakeholders on solutions and preventative measures.
• Develop a good understanding of alternative talent pools available to resolve resource shortfalls e.g. HSFK's Digital Legal Delivery team or external Alternative Legal Service providers.
• Maintain a broad appreciation of supply and demand needs across the global firm driving mobility wherever possible.
• Build relationships with Associates and Trainees to develop a clear sense of individual career objectives and discuss any issues relating to capacity and utilisation.
• Build trusted relationships with Partners and alleviate the day to day burden of resourcing giving them time back to focus on client work and winning in the market.
• Optimise allocation of work by continuously monitoring current and anticipated pipeline levels, helping to smooth utilisation levels where required.
• Prepare and provide regular management information to partners and share insights on utilisation levels, critical resourcing challenges and any potential wellbeing issues.
• Work with Partners and HR business Partners to understand professional aspirations which can be factored into resourcing decisions.
• Understand the KPIs across a balanced scorecard and the options available to influence business outcomes through effective work allocation.
• Actively participate in driving the Resource Management strategy to help the firm to achieve its overall objectives.
• Proactively drive the adoption of the work allocation technology, tools and processes as the work allocation function grows.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• Demonstrate experience in building strategic relationships at all levels.
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrate the ability to influence culture change.
• Ability to understand and analyse utilisation data and practice-specific work types to make resourcing decisions based on data and Partner and staff preferences.
• Ability to act quickly under tight deadlines.
• Proactive and adaptable, able to demonstrate initiative.
• Strong commercial and client focus.
• Ability to understand key business drivers including the impact that utilisation and leverage has on profitability.
• Ability to present summaries of the benefits of the work allocation function and data tools to other parts of the business, including senior stakeholders.
• Prior experience in Resource Management, ideally within a large professional services or legal environment.
• Excellent IT skills/experience working with resource management software highly desirable.
• Experience working in the legal sector highly desirable but not essential.

Competencies

• A strong team player with the ability to influence more senior stakeholders and build deep relationships of trust across large teams.
• Energises those around them, simplifies complexity and makes quality decisions.
• Brings perspective and a constructive approach to high pressure situations and directs attention to solutions.
• Makes sound commercial decisions based on a clear understanding of the business.
• Acts decisively even under pressure on the basis of incomplete information, juggling competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Collaborates with others to enhance the client experience and achieve results.

Working Pattern: Full time

Location: London

Contract type: Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion: We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.