Switchboard Operator

Forbes Solicitors; Preston; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Forbes Solicitors is seeking a Switchboard Operator to deliver exceptional customer service and manage inquiries for their business development team. This full-time role involves covering front-of-house duties across various offices in Lancashire, providing a critical link between clients and the firm.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Enhanced family friendly policies

Ongoing professional development opportunities

Profit share scheme

Health care benefits

Staff discount on Firm services

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs including Maths and English.
• Experience on a busy switchboard required.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service answering incoming calls.
• Maintain an organized reception area and office security.
• Support front-of-house services during staff absences.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

IT skills

Teamwork

Education

5 GCSEs grade C/4 or above including Maths and English

Job description

Job Description

UK Employer of the Year 2024: Silver (250+) - Investors in People Awards

The Role

Forbes Solicitors LLP are seeking a Switchboard Operator to join our Marketing and Business Development team at our Walton Summit Office, with additional travel to the Firms offices located in the Northwest.

This role is full time, working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

The purpose of this role is to deliver exceptional customer service to all clients via telephone, ensuring a friendly and professional first impression and maintain a high standard of service for both staff and clients who contact the Firm's switchboard. Additionally, the role will support all Firm offices by covering front-of-house duties during periods of leave, ensuring seamless operations and continuity of service. Therefore, the successful candidate will be expected to travel to our offices across the Lancashire area as and when required.

As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for achieving successful outcomes such as:

• Provide excellent customer service to all contacting the Firm via the Switchboard, by greeting them and taking their enquiry warmly and professionally, understanding their requirements and forwarding their call or providing relevant information as appropriate;
• Ensuring all calls coming through the switchboard are answered in a timely manner;
• Liaise with other offices regarding telephone calls, messages, correspondence;
• Attend to all emails, and telephone messages in a timely manner, and direct correspondence to the relevant departments;
• Supporting the Firms new enquiries inbox and sending emails to the relevant departments;
• Provide front of house cover at all the Firms Offices during periods of leave, ensuring a seamless and professional service, front of house cover duties include;
• Maintain office security by following safety procedures and controlling access via the reception desk (monitoring CCTV, visitor sign in, monitor logbook, issue visitor badges);
• Provide excellent customer service to all attending the office, by greeting and welcoming them warmly and professionally, gaining an understanding of their requirements or reason for visiting, providing any relevant information and informing all relevant parties promptly.
• Maintain an organised reception area that is suitable for delivering any requirements of the role, presents a welcoming and professional atmosphere and ensures an efficient service is provided to everyone that may visit the office.
  

The Person

We will be progressing applicants to the next stage based on their demonstrated knowledge, experience, and skills in:

Essential

• 5 GCSEs grade C/4 or above or equivalent, including Maths and English;
• Proven experience of working on a busy switchboard;
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills, including oral (particularly telephone skills), written and via digital platforms and a variety of stakeholders;
• Demonstrates excellent attention to detail skills with the ability to accurately record detailed information;
• Demonstrates the ability to work as part of a team;
• Demonstrates excellent IT skills and the ability to use multiple platforms such as word, excel, outlook and the Firms switchboard;
• Aligns with the Firms values;
  
  

Desirable

• Previous experience working within fast paced telephone-based customer service role;
• Demonstrates the ability to understand and articulate customer query or need;
• Previous experience of working within a professional services environment;
  
  

If you are interested in this role or in joining Forbes Solicitors, please visit our website to learn more about us.

The Firm

At Forbes Solicitors, we believe in creating a supportive and collaborative environment where our team members can thrive and develop themselves and others. We offer a comprehensive range of legal services and have offices across the North, with deep roots in Lancashire. Our team are known for its genuine, practical advice and passion for achieving the best results. We are real people who listen to each other and work together to deliver exceptional service.

We are proud to have been awarded UK Employer of the Year: Silver (250+) at the Investors in People Awards 2024 and the Firm is ranked as a Legal 500 Top Tier Firm and a Chambers and Partners Leading Firm.

We are a values led Firm and are looking for people who embody our values: authenticity, striving for exceptional results, and unity in teamwork to join our award-winning Firm.

The Benefits

We are dedicated to supporting our people and offer a range of benefits, including:

• 33 days annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service;
• Annual leave purchase scheme (Subject to T&Cs)
• Enhanced family friendly policies and pay for Maternity, Paternity and Adoption;
• Enhanced sick pay;
• Celebration and Volunteer leave;
• Ongoing professional development and progression opportunities;
• Profit share scheme;
• Additional long service awards;
• Subsidised tuck shops;
• Staff discount on Firm services;
• Health care benefits (Health Cash Back Plan and Mental Health Counselling Services);
• BUPA (Solicitor positions only, for self, not dependents);
• Retail and gym membership discounts;
• Recruitment and legal department referrals (Subject to T&Cs);
• Annual Events;
  
  

Forbes is an equal opportunities and disability-confident employer, accredited by Investors in People and ISO 9001 quality management systems. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment, service provision, and supplier engagement, and strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the local community.