PA Services Manager

Pinsent Masons; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Diversity & inclusion focus

Industry recognitions

Job summary

Pinsent Masons is seeking a PA Services Manager in Manchester with responsibility across multiple locations. You will lead the PA Services function, deliver firm-wide strategy, and ensure a future-ready, high-quality internal client experience.

This senior role emphasises people leadership, performance management, recruitment and continuous improvement, with a hybrid working model and strong collaboration with stakeholders across the firm.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a PA/administrative services function in professional services.
• Ability to translate strategy into practical delivery.
• Coaching-led leadership style with strong people management.
• Resilience to influence and lead change.
• Autonomous, proactive and confident in prioritising.
• Strong analytical and continuous improvement mindset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Discretion handling confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Lead the PA Services function to deliver firm-wide strategy and plans.
• Develop and implement commercial and operational plans for a resilient, future-ready service.
• Ensure high-quality service delivery aligned to client expectations.
• Oversee recruitment, induction, and integration of new starters.
• Manage performance and succession planning in line with HR policies.
• Forecast capacity and workload management for the team.
• Build trusted relationships with stakeholders across the Firm.
• Promote collaboration and strong internal client relationships.
• Drive change initiatives and continuous improvement within PA services.
• Prepare and circulate management information, performance data, and trend analysis.

Job description

PA Services Manager

Location: Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds or Glasgow

Reporting to: Head of PA & Administrative Services

The Role

This role plays a pivotal part in delivering firm-wide strategy through consistent service excellence, commercial thinking, and strong people leadership. You will be responsible for ensuring a future-proofed PA service that delivers dependable results, supports business priorities, and provides an exceptional internal client experience. The PA team may comprise staff from multiple business units, with structure and size evolving in line with the Firm’s needs.

Key Responsibilities Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Deliver firm-wide strategy and business plans through effective leadership of the PA Services function.
• Develop and implement commercial and operational plans to ensure a resilient, future-ready service.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery aligned to business and client expectations.
• Maintain a strong understanding of practice group priorities, anticipating challenges and proactively responding.
• Continuously innovate and improve PA service delivery models.

People Leadership & Talent Management

• Lead, motivate, coach, and develop a high-performing and cohesive PA team.
• Manage performance robustly in line with HR policies, addressing issues promptly and constructively.
• Oversee recruitment, induction and integration of new starters within the service.
• Own the annual review and feedback process, prioritising talent management, retention, and succession.
• Proactively manage team capacity and workload allocation.

Stakeholder Engagement & Client Service

• Build strong, trusted relationships with key stakeholders across the Firm.
• Promote effective collaboration, networking, and strong internal client relationships.
• Advocate correct utilisation of PA Services and constructively challenge non-compliance.
• Address operational issues swiftly using a solutions-focused, results-driven approach.

Change & Continuous Improvement

• Energetically lead and manage change initiatives within the PA function.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement through regular team engagement and feedback.
• Own preparation and circulation of management information, performance data, and trend analysis.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience managing a PA, secretarial, or administrative services function within a professional services environment.
• Strategic and commercially minded leader with the ability to translate strategy into practical delivery.
• Strong people management capability with a coaching-led leadership style.
• Highly resilient with the ability to influence, challenge, and lead change.
• Proactive, autonomous, and confident in driving priorities.
• Strong analytical skills and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills (written and verbal).
• Professional, objective, and trusted to handle confidential information.

Why Join Us?

• A high-profile leadership role with significant influence across the Firm.
• Opportunity to shape and modernise PA service delivery.
• Collaborative, people-focused culture with strong emphasis on development.
• Hybrid working model offering flexibility and balance.

Our strength lies in our differences. We are a top Stonewall employer, a Valuable 500 member, a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and a proud partner of Neurodiversity in Law. We encourage and value different ideas and styles of thinking. It’s with different perspectives that we’ll find solutions to our clients’ most complex challenges. It’s how we’ll deliver outstanding results today, and tomorrow.We want everybody attending an interview to be comfortable and able to fully demonstrate their experience and talents.