Legal Practice Manager

Onlylaw; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Onlylaw in Greater London seeks an experienced Legal Practice Manager to run the office operations and bridge legal practice with business efficiency. You will ensure solicitors have tools, environment, and compliant frameworks to deliver excellent service.

The role covers financial management, compliance, HR, IT, and process improvements; you will lead performance across departments and drive profitability while maintaining GDPR, AML, and SRA standards.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Practice Manager or Senior Administrator in a UK law firm.
• Financial literacy with bookkeeping, VAT returns, and financial reporting.
• Tech savviness with Microsoft 365 and Case Management Systems (Clio/LEAP/Proclaim).
• Strong communication skills and discretion handling HR matters.
• Solid grasp of GDPR, AML, and SRA compliance.
• Leadership and ability to drive performance and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Oversee performance management across departments with focus on profitability.
• Ensure compliance with SRA Accounts Rules and maintain required standards.
• Manage staff contracts, onboarding, appraisals, and holiday tracking.
• Coordinate IT and CMS, oversee office facilities and infrastructure.
• Streamline internal processes to reduce overheads and improve efficiency.

Skills

Practice Manager experience

Financial literacy

Tech savvy

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership

SRA compliance

Tools

Clio

LEAP

Proclaim

Job description

Type: Full-time

The Role

Are you the person who keeps everything running behind the scenes? We are looking for an experienced Legal Practice Manager to take the operational reins of our firm. This is a pivotal role where you will bridge the gap between legal practice and business efficiency. You will be responsible for the day-to‑day management of the office, ensuring our solicitors have the tools, environment, and compliance frameworks they need to provide world‑class service.

Key Responsibilities

The top priority for this role is overseeing performance management across the deparetments, ensuring revenue and profiatbale growth of the firm as well as the below duties.

• Financial Management: Oversee client and office accounts, manage invoicing, and liaise with external accountants. Experience with SRA Accounts Rules is essential
• Compliance & COLP/COFA Support: Assist the Partners in maintaining Lexcel or CQS standards and ensuring the firm remains fully compliant with SRA regulations
• HR & Recruitment: Manage staff contracts, onboarding, performance reviews, and holiday/sickness tracking
• IT & Infrastructure: Act as the primary contact for IT support, manage our Case Management System (CMS), and oversee office facilities
• Operations: Streamline internal processes to improve efficiency and reduce overheads

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a "safe pair of hands" with a proactive mindset. You don’t need to be a solicitor, but you must understand how a law firm breathes.

• Experience: Previous experience as a Practice Manager or Senior Administrator within a UK law firm is highly preferred.
• Financial Literacy: Comfortable with legal bookkeeping, VAT returns, and financial reporting
• Tech Savvy: Proficient in Microsoft 365 and experienced in using Case Management Systems (e.g., Clio, LEAP, or Proclaim)
• Communication: A firm but fair approach to management with the ability to handle sensitive HR matters with total discretion.
• Regulatory Knowledge: A solid grasp of GDPR, AML, and SRA compliance.
• Leadership - The ability to lead and direct the performance of the firm and individuals to deliver the required results and Quality outcome for the firm
• Impact: A high-level role where your improvements directly affect the firm's success
• Rewards: High Earning Potential and Growth for someone who wants to lead in a fast growing