Senior Secretary

The role

We are recruiting a Senior Secretary within the Litigation & Regulatory hub in our Birmingham office on a 12 month fixed term contract.

In many of our offices, ‘Hubs’ have transformed how secretarial services are delivered; with team members sharing the workload. Hubs also provide opportunities for developing a broader range of skills for pursuing a defined career path, networking and knowledge-sharing. These opportunities were not possible with the traditional model.

We are proud of our history of secretaries progressing to take leading roles in the strategy setting and day-to-day running of our secretarial function.

We have 4 levels of role in the team:

• Team Coordinator – Manages and takes responsibility for the efficient running of the team. Oversees incoming work flow. Distributes tasks appropriately amongst the team whilst operating as a senior level Secretary Responsible for communicating with fee earners to keep them appraised of a task or project status
• Senior Secretary – Takes ownership for the efficient running of the team by role-modelling as an effective and responsible team member and acts as workflow supervisor where required
• Secretary – Provides general secretarial and administration services as part of the secretarial team
• Team Apprentice – An apprenticeship level role for those developing their skills, undertaking routine administration tasks at the direction of the Team Coordinator

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Working collaboratively with the rest of the team, to deliver and provide exceptional secretarial support by:

• Provide high level support to partners and fee earners as a trusted advisor
• Act as a role model and mentor to less experienced members of the team by sharing knowledge and best practice
• Completes practice group specific tasks to develop specialist expertise (e.g. super-user on specific tools, global billing, client reporting, knowledge management support)
• Utilises skill in influencing stakeholders – quickly building rapport and be seen as a trusted advisor
• Adding value by taking a proactive approach to tasks and anticipating potential problems before they arise
• Billing subject matter expert
• Ensuring accurate and timely use of our finance management system to facilitate matter opening, maintenance, closure and archiving. Generating accurate billing reports, letters and draft bills in a timely manner. Managing accounts payable (invoices), expenses and disbursements. Recording time for fee-earners when required (including non-billable productive time) on a daily basis
• Understanding DLA Piper document management processes (iManage)
• Coordinating internal and external client meetings effectively ensuring rooms and conference facilities are booked, liaising with attendees and ensuring that any required catering and technical equipment is in place
• Assisting fee earners with the organisation of meetings including preparation of agendas and collating meeting papers in a timely manner
• Utilising document production for the creation of all first draft documents
• Organising and assisting with client functions, entertainment and seminars, as required;
• Arranging complex travel bookings, including visas, flights, taxis, accommodation and rental cars, etc.
• Completing financial reports where required, from internal systems highlighting outstanding monies to be billed and updating particular client financial schedules where necessary
• Assisting on ad-hoc projects as and when required, for example managing bundles, supporting team events etc.
• Any other secretarial or administrative duties as required

ABOUT YOU

• Previous experience as a Secretary
• Previous experience of document management systems
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent diary management
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Applies knowledge and judgement to solve problems and make decisions
• Experience of delegating to, and training, less experienced team members
• Flexible approach to working practices in order to meet business needs
• Friendly, personable and approachable
• Adaptable and flexible approach
• Conscientious and diligent
• Remains calm under pressure
• Eager to learn and develop skills
• Adopt a can do attitude

ABOUT US
DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers and business service professionals located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Our global reach ensures that we can help businesses with their legal needs anywhere in the world. We strive to be the leading global business law firm by delivering quality, service excellence and value to our clients and offering practical and innovative legal solutions to help them succeed. Our clients range from multinational, Global 1000, and Fortune 500 enterprises to emerging companies developing industry-leading technologies, as well as government and public sector bodies.

OUR VALUES
In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by these values:

• Be Supportive – we are compassionate and inclusive, valuing diversity and acting thoughtfully
• Be Collaborative – we are proactive, passionate team players investing in our relationships
• Be Bold – we are fearless and inquisitive, challenging ourselves to think big and find creative new solutions
• Be Exceptional – we are strategic and driven, exceeding standards and expectations

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At DLA Piper, diversity and inclusion underpins how we live our values and everything we do. We believe that everyone has a voice, and that everyone’s voice counts. We know that the rich diversity across our firm makes us stronger, more innovative and creative, which helps us to better serve our clients and communities. We are committed to providing an inclusive working environment and culture across our global firm, where everyone can bring their authentic self to work.

Diversity of perspective, thought, background and culture combine to make us the leading global law firm; that’s why we actively seek to build balanced teams. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

HYBRID WORKING
We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

PRE-ENGAGEMENT SCREENING
In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits and where relevant, we will conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability and work-related references.