PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
Supporting the Head of Germany, the People Operations Manager is responsible for delivering high-quality operational support to Partners and Lawyers across the German region. The role plays a key part in driving operational efficiency and supporting the firm's continued growth, with significant responsibility for leading the Legal PA and Office Administration teams to ensure an exceptional level of client service.
The position also provides oversight and support for local HR operational administration and related activities, acting as a key liaison between Group AG and the Germany office on administrative, PA and HR operational matters.
AG IN GERMANY
Addleshaw Goddard is an international law firm with over 250 years of heritage. With more than 1,700 lawyers across 21 offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we provide clients with a competitive edge on their most complex transactions, disputes and projects.
Our work spans over 50 areas of business law, supporting clients across multiple industries and in more than 100 countries worldwide. We are known for our focused, practical approach and for finding the smartest way to achieve the greatest impact.
We opened our doors in Germany in the summer of 2019. We now have offices in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich, located in the country's key business centres. Our clients benefit from our local expertise combined with seamless, cross-border service. We are among the top 10 most innovative business law firms in Europe and one of the fastest-growing firms in Germany.
DUTIES:
Given the breadth of the role, the general duties have been categorised for ease of reference:
LEGAL PA & OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
● Day to day line management of the Legal PA team, identifies the appropriate level of support, ensuring the needs of the offices are met. This includes establishing best practice and conducing performance management and recruitment / selection as appropriate
● Day to day line management of the Office Co-Ordinator & Reception / Administration teams
● Develops strong relationships with the Head of Region and Partner groups consulting on elements relating to the operation of the Legal PA teams in Germany
● Regular engagement with the EMEA Senior Secretarial Manager, who will offer best-practice guidance, support, and assistance on alignment with firm-wide standards / processes in a supporting line management capacity
● Holiday / absence, working hour, overtime approvals for Legal PAs & Administrative team
● Sickness absence reporting, to include receiving absence calls, notifying team, confirming cover, escalating any concerns / SSSM
● Organisation of day to day or emergency PA cover / unplanned absence, where required
● Allocation of PA to all new starters
● Arranging Group PA meetings
● Supporting new and existing PAs with system updates / training and identifying process improvements / efficiencies where appropriate
● Induction planning for new starter PAs
● Management of performance review process, including providing PA performance feedback and contributing to objective-setting for the check-in process
● Responsible for travel supplier liaison and management.
● Supports and liaises with the Premises & Office Services Director in other projects as required, such as office moves or refurbishments
PEOPLE / HR ADMINISTRATION
● Supporting on the drafting of employment references (with appropriate input from Employment/ Partners as required)
● Scanning confidential documents in relation to pension/ insurance/ payroll over to Group HR / Group Payroll, including but not limited to Exemption notices, documents for the Versorgungswerk and other documents of this nature.
● Management of the SEPA Forms, liaising with both employees, teams and external bodies as appropriate.
● Monitoring the external Statutory Health Insurance system to ensure that all sickness dates are recorded correctly and reported to Group payroll.
● Populating employment contract templates (for employees/ trainees) which require wet signature in country.
● Working alongside the Group Resourcing team, providing support to the HR Manager in the provision of timely, cost effective and efficient resource management.
● Proactively identify opportunities to improve HR processes and practices to support the achievement of business goals.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Our ideal candidate will have proven success in a business management role with a focus on improving cross
departmental collaboration. Skills required include:
● Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate others and facilitate effective team-working
● Hands on experience of successfully leading and managing teams, whilst challenging performance is essential
● Highly organised with a willingness to work flexibly to meet the requirements of the role
● Deep understanding of front and back-office operations and how these two intertwine
● Experience of working with and influencing senior leadership stakeholders
● A responsive, proactive and service-orientated approach
● Experience of delivering successful projects, ensuring engagement throughout desirable
● Dynamic problem-solving abilities; finding creative, commercial and pragmatic solutions, where required
● Tenacity, resilience and patience when dealing with difficult and challenging issues.
● Experience gained in a comparable Corporate environment would be preferred
● Ability to deal with highly sensitive and confidential information High quality communication skills, including high level of written and spoken, in both German and English
WHAT WE OFFER
• A varied and engaging role within a growing, international and diverse team
• Exposure to a market-leading law firm and its global professional network
• Strong opportunities for personal and professional development, including structured training and mentoring
• A flexible, modern working environment with scope to contribute and make an impact
• An attractive compensation package and a positive, open working culture
• Regular networking and team events
OUR APPROACH: IMAGINE THE BEST YOU CAN BE
Everything we've accomplished can be traced back to our people and the way we work. Our reputation is something we are proud of, and constantly invest in.
Here, you'll do high calibre work, with high-character colleagues who care for one another and our clients.
Are you up for the challenge?