At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a top law firm by managing diaries, emails, and travel arrangements.
- Company: Join Owen Reed, a leading recruitment agency in the legal sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy ongoing training, professional development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Gain diverse experience across practice groups while building strong relationships in a prestigious firm.
- Qualifications: Strong PA experience, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office required.
- Other info: This is a 12-month fixed-term contract with opportunities for growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Owen Reed is looking to recruit a Float Personal Assistant to support a team for a top law firm in London on a 12 months Fixed term contract basis. Working as part of the float team who support 5 practice groups across the London office providing you with a broad base of responsibilities. You will have proven strong PA experience, preferably working within a Law firm providing support at Partner level and have strong organisational skills. You will be confident in meeting the frequent changes and challenges that are consistent within a float role with the understanding that strong communication with those you will be supporting is fundamental.
Key Responsibilities including:
- Diary management - anticipating and managing all areas of diaries
- E-mail management, checking prioritising and summarising e-mails on a daily basis and reporting on and creating action points
- Time management – ensuring fee earners time and narratives are inputted daily
- Drafting correspondence as required
- Comprehensive travel arrangements including sourcing and booking hotels and transport on our online booking tool
- Establishing own administrative systems
- Efficiently managing own workload and being proactive with the ability to work on own initiative
- Becoming adept at proof reading and quality checks on all work produced
- Building good working relationships with colleagues
- Establishing rapport with clients
- Becoming adept at using CMS CMNO systems and office equipment
- Becoming familiar with legal terminology of practice area
- Establishing relationships with clients and anticipating their needs
- Understanding firm’s culture and goals
- Organises document management, including opening files, archiving and ensures that all relevant documents are filed electronically and paper-based, as required
- Demonstrates an understanding of the end-to-end billing process and Elite (Financial System) and liaising with billing team, producing the relevant documentation
- Assisting across practice groups/teams whenever he/she has spare capacity/as required
- Undertaking typing as required either via dictation or by marked up handwritten changes
- Delegating where necessary administrative tasks to administrative members of the team
About you
We will invest in your ongoing training and development to support your professional goals and help you to thrive in your role from day one. Our opportunities are open to all suitably qualified applicants, so to be considered for this role, you must meet the following skills and experience:
- Strong PA/secretarial background at partner level
- Advanced level written and verbal skills
- 70 wpm typing skills
- Good understanding of Microsoft Office
- Skills & Knowledge: Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Document management system
- Positive attitude with a practical, common sense approach; resilient
- Audio and copy typing
- Excellent organisational and administrative skills
- Drafting documents autonomously
- Fee/Billing Management
- Confident with excellent communication skills, ability to relate to people at all levels
- Ability to prioritise tasks and remain calm when working under pressure
- Excellent attention to detail
Float PA employer: Owen Reed
Contact Detail:
Owen Reed Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Float PA
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific legal terminology relevant to the practice areas you'll be supporting. This will not only help you communicate effectively with partners and clients but also demonstrate your commitment to understanding the firm's operations.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former float PAs in law firms to gain insights into their daily challenges and best practices. This can provide you with valuable information that can set you apart during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your organisational skills by preparing a mock diary management plan for a hypothetical partner. This practical demonstration of your abilities can impress interviewers and highlight your proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Owen Reed and their culture thoroughly. Understanding their values and goals will allow you to tailor your conversations and show how you can contribute positively to their team dynamics.
We think you need these skills to ace Float PA
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your strong PA experience, especially in a law firm setting. Emphasise your skills in diary management, email prioritisation, and document management, as these are crucial for the Float PA role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Mention specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your organisational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks under pressure.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly list your proficiency in Microsoft Office and any document management systems you've used. Also, mention your typing speed and any experience with billing processes, as these are key requirements for the position.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since strong communication is fundamental for this role, provide examples of how you've successfully built relationships with colleagues and clients in previous positions. This will help demonstrate your ability to thrive in a float team environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Owen Reed
✨Showcase Your PA Experience
Make sure to highlight your previous experience as a Personal Assistant, especially in a law firm setting. Discuss specific examples where you managed diaries, handled correspondence, or organised travel arrangements for senior staff.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since communication is key in this role, prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated with colleagues and clients in the past. Be ready to provide examples of how you built rapport and anticipated needs.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle frequent changes and challenges. Prepare scenarios where you successfully managed competing priorities or resolved issues under pressure, showcasing your organisational skills.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Legal Terminology
Understanding legal terminology can set you apart from other candidates. Brush up on common terms and phrases used in the legal field, as this will demonstrate your commitment and readiness for the role.