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.
Legal
Practice Manager
Salary:
£45,529 – £50,908 per annum
Directorate: Legal & Governance
Reports to: General Counsel
Grade: F16
Politically Restricted: No
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
1.
Innovative practice management
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.
Why join
EMCCA?
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.
Join us
If you're an
experienced legal practice or business manager who is passionate about
improving systems, processes and performance, and you want to help build a
modern Legal Services function from the ground up, we'd love to hear from you.
This is an
opportunity to bring your expertise, ideas and leadership to a new organisation
and help create the operational foundations that will support EMCCA's Legal
Services function for years to come.
Join EMCCA
and help build a modern, innovative and high-performing Legal Services function
for the East Midlands.
Closing
Date: 26/10/2026
Proposed
Interview Date: 16/11/2026