IP Business Operations Manager

EJ Legal Limited; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

EJ Legal Limited invites applications for an IP Business Operations Manager to lead the strategic operations across Patent Paralegal, Trade Mark Paralegal and Business Support teams in a 40-strong practice. You will shape operational strategy, drive efficiencies and develop high-performing teams across multiple offices.

Working with Partners, Fee Earners and Department Heads, you will ensure resource planning, workflow optimisation and governance align with the firm's commercial ambitions,

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior operational leadership role within professional services.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams within IP or legal services.
• Experience shaping and delivering strategic and business plans with measurable improvements.
• Strong workforce planning, resource allocation and performance management.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication with senior partners.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Oversee and develop Patent Paralegal, Trade Mark Paralegal, Technical & Workflow Specialist and Business Support Administration teams, aligning priorities with firm objectives.
• People Development: Lead, coach and inspire team managers and support professionals, building a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Operational Excellence: Review and optimise workflows, team structures and practices to improve efficiency and service quality.
• Resource & Workforce Planning: Drive effective resource allocation, capacity planning and succession planning across multiple offices.
• Business Transformation: Lead organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Strategic & Business Planning: Contribute to development and delivery of strategic plans translating commercial objectives into operational priorities.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Advise Partners and senior stakeholders to shape operational services and support the firm's ambitions.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People development

Operational excellence

Resource planning

Stakeholder management

Job description

IP Business Operations Manager

Leading UK Intellectual Property Firm | Strategic Leadership Opportunity

Location: UK | Birmingham, West Midlands

Competitive Salary + Benefits

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced IP Business Operations Manager to join a highly regarded UK intellectual property practice, taking responsibility for the strategic leadership, performance and development of its Patent Paralegal, Trade Mark Paralegal and Business Support Administration functions within a team of 40 people.

This is a pivotal leadership appointment, offering the opportunity to shape operational strategy, influence business decisions, drive efficiencies and develop high-performing teams across multiple offices.

The Opportunity Working closely with Partners, Fee Earners and Department Heads, you will play a central role in shaping and delivering operational strategy, ensuring the firm's business support functions are structured, resourced and equipped to deliver an exceptional service.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Leadership: Oversee and develop Patent Paralegal, Trade Mark Paralegal, Technical & Workflow Specialist and Business Support Administration teams, aligning operational priorities with the firm's wider business objectives.


• People Development: Lead, coach and inspire team managers and support professionals, building a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.


• Operational Excellence: Review and optimise workflows, team structures and working practices to improve efficiency, consistency and service delivery.


• Resource & Workforce Planning: Drive effective resource allocation, capacity management, succession planning and future workforce capability across multiple offices.


• Business Transformation: Lead organisational change, continuous improvement and strategic initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness and support sustainable growth.


• Strategic & Business Planning: Contribute to the development and delivery of strategic and business plans, translating commercial objectives into operational priorities and measurable improvements.


• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a trusted strategic advisor to Partners and senior stakeholders, influencing decision-making and ensuring operational functions support the firm's commercial ambitions.

About You

The firm is seeking an accomplished, commercially minded operations professional with the leadership credentials and strategic vision to make a meaningful impact. You may already be working in a senior operations role in an IP firm, full-service law firm or professional services environment.

You will demonstrate:

• Significant experience in a senior operational leadership or strategic role, with a proven ability to influence decision-making at senior management and Partner level.


• Demonstrable experience managing multidisciplinary teams within a professional services environment, ideally within intellectual property, legal services or a comparable knowledge-based business.


• Proven ability to lead organisational change, continuous improvement and operational strategy initiatives, delivering tangible improvements in efficiency, performance and service quality.


• Experience shaping and delivering strategic and business plans that drive operational priorities, build future capability and support organisational growth.


• Strong expertise in workforce planning, resource utilisation, performance management and developing high-performing teams.


• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the credibility to challenge, advise and influence senior professionals.


• A proactive, solutions-focused leadership style, combining commercial awareness with a genuine commitment to people development and operational excellence.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is much more than a traditional operations management role.

You will have the opportunity to influence the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of a leading UK IP practice, shaping its support infrastructure, developing future capability and driving meaningful organisational change.

With significant exposure to senior leadership and the autonomy to influence how services are delivered, this role offers an excellent opportunity for an established operations professional seeking a broader strategic remit and the chance to make a lasting impact.

Interested in Finding Out More?

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact:

James Dawes | EJ Legal

Email: [e-mail]

Telephone: [phone]

All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.