Assistant Managing Paralegal

Womble Bond Dickinson; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Plymouth is looking for an Assistant Managing Paralegal / Assistant Team Manager to support its Commercial Disputes sub-team. In this role, you will provide training to junior staff, manage performance goals, and foster relationships with both internal and external clients. While previous legal expertise is not necessary, effective people management and organizational skills are crucial. You will also ensure your team adopts the latest technology to enhance service delivery and be involved in broader projects within the firm.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in people management.
• Strong communication skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.

Responsibilities

• Provide training and support to team members.
• Manage workflows and performance goals.
• Supervise documentation and correspondence.
• Conduct reviews and provide support to the team.
• Assist with recruitment processes.
• Help with financial management.
• Manage team absences and holidays.
• Build relationships with clients.
• Implement efficient working practices.
• Coordinate with lawyers on large projects.

Skills

People management

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Planning and organization

Microsoft Office Suite proficiency

Job description

It's no secret that we're an ambitious firm, and our vision and our culture truly reflects that. At the heart of this is an outstanding client experience, something that Womble Bond Dickinson prides itself on.

The Legal Solutions Centre (LSC) part of is an essential part of our business made up of over 100 paralegals, project managers, technologists, data analysts and lawyers. Whether delivering one‑off requirements or on‑going services, WBD Advance streamlines legal work and tackles complex business issues by delivering high‑quality, cost‑effective solutions. The team handles everything from large volume projects and services, automation and process design, project and risk management, to knowledge and data management.

This growing team are now seeking to expand their Commercial Disputes sub‑team in both our Plymouth and Bristol offices with the hiring of an Assistant Managing Paralegal / Assistant Team Manager.

So what does each of the roles involve?

This role is all about supporting the Paralegals and Lawyers in our LSC team, so the management and supervisory skills that you bring are vital in this role. We will provide full training to bring you up to speed on any legal aspects so previous legal experience isn't a requirement.

Our Commercial Disputes sub‑team act on behalf of leading utilities, infrastructure and retail organisations providing a comprehensive recoveries and dispute resolution service. Your role will see you working on a range of debt recovery matters producing pre‑action letters, issuing, executing and completing claims through the County Court, enforcing Judgment Orders where necessary, drafting Statutory Demands, issuing Bankruptcy and Winding Up Proceedings in addition to dealing with strategic resolution of litigated consumer claims brought against our client.

You would work closely with the team to ensure that we are employing the most efficient processes, making use of the advanced technology available within the firm and ensuring our paralegals are provided with the tools and training they need to deliver the best service we can to our clients. The ongoing training and development of our people is fundamental to WBD and you would play a key part in this through regular reviews, appraisals and team training.

There will also be opportunities for you to get involved with the wider projects within WBD Advance.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing training and support to the junior members of the team.
• Managing workflows, quality of service and performance goals.
• Supervising outgoing documents and correspondence.
• Conducting 1:1 reviews, appraisals and providing support to the team.
• Assisting with the recruitment process.
• Some financial management.
• Managing team holidays and other absences.
• Managing key relationships with both internal and external clients.
• Proposing and implementing new working practices to streamline efficiency.
• Working closely with lawyers to manage large scale projects and ensure team deadlines and KPIs are met.

What are we looking for?

If you've previously managed a team and are used to prioritising multiple streams of work to timescales, then this could be the role for you. Previous experience in litigation or law is not a requirement for this role; what matters more to us are the supervisory and relationship building skills you'll bring with you. We're looking for a leader; someone who can communicate goals and targets to the team and motivate them to achieve these as efficiently as possible.

You’ll also be highly organised, able to effectively liaise with a variety of different people and, last but certainly not least, able to make critical decisions in order to drive the direction of the team.

Minimum requirements:

• Proven experience in people management, with a track record of leading and developing high‑performing teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including skills in Excel.
• Strong problem‑solving abilities and excellent communication skills.
• Planning and organisational skills to drive team performance and achieve business objectives.

We are a multi‑disciplinary team and our people have a wide range of skills and experience. Whether you've built your experience skills in a law firm or completely different sector, we'd love to hear from you.