Office Manager

Familyandkids; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Familyandkids is seeking an Office Manager to lead the Melbourne Practice Support team in a hands-on leadership role. You will manage a team of Legal Assistants and Receptionists, ensuring day-to-day operations align with firm standards and deliver a seamless client experience.

You will partner with Business Services and Practice Group leaders to optimise space, resources and service levels while supporting firm initiatives and a connected, one-firm culture.

Qualifications

• Five+ years in office management or legal practice support.
• Experience supervising or leading other staff.
• Strong understanding of legal practice support workflows.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Digitally literate with MS 365; ready to learn new systems.
• Willing to handle physical tasks like setting up events.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Practice Support team, manage performance and workflow.
• Act as primary contact for office operations: building, security, access, parking, tenancy.
• Manage space allocation across offices, desks, war rooms, on-site storage.
• Support workforce planning, overtime and staffing costs; review supplier expenditures.
• Oversee office equipment and services with external providers.
• Support client events, staff functions and firm events to ensure seamless front of house.
• Coordinate business continuity and WHS across the office.
• Collaborate with Practice Groups and Business Services to align with firm-wide standards.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Coaching

Stakeholder management

Communication

Organisation

Service mindset

Adaptability

Problem solving

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Job Description

A well-regarded law firm is looking for an Office Manager to lead its Melbourne Practice Support team. This is a hands‑on leadership role, well suited to an experienced Legal Assistant or Practice Support professional who has supervised others and is ready to take on full accountability for a team and an office.

The role

Reporting to senior Practice Support leadership, you will be accountable for the day to day running of the Melbourne office. You will lead a team of Legal Assistants, Receptionists. You will also partner with Business Services and Practice Group leaders to keep local service aligned with firm-wide standards.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, coaching and developing the Practice Support team, including performance management and workflow
• Acting as the primary contact for office operational matters, including building management, security, access, parking and tenancy
• Managing allocation of space across offices, desks, war rooms and on-site storage
• Supporting workforce planning, overtime and staffing costs, and reviewing supplier and service expenditure
• Overseeing office equipment and services, including external providers and trades
• Supporting client events, staff functions and firm events to deliver a seamless front of house experience
• Coordinating business continuity and emergency procedures, and championing WHS across the office
• Collaborating with Practice Groups and Business Services to support firm initiatives and a connected, one firm culture

About the Candidate

• Five or more years' experience in office management or legal practice support, ideally within a law firm or professional services environment
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience, such as guiding, allocating work to or developing other support staff. Senior Legal Assistants looking to move into management are encouraged to apply
• A strong understanding of legal practice support workflows and the service expectations of lawyers and clients
• Excellent communication, organisation and stakeholder management skills, with sound judgement on urgency and escalation
• A service-first mindset, with the initiative to adapt to changing priorities and a genuine interest in continuous improvement
• Strong digital literacy, including Microsoft 365, and an appetite to learn new systems
• Comfortable with the physical side of the role, including setting up and packing down meeting and event spaces, moving supplies and assisting with office relocations

Work Environment

• Up to $120k package including super
• 38 hour week, with a minimum of four days per week in the office, 1 day work from home
• A clear career step into management, with the support of a broader Practice Support and Business Services network
• A people-focused culture that values development and retention, National