Operations Manager, Southeast Asia

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP - Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is seeking an experienced Operations Manager, Southeast Asia to lead office operations across Singapore, Bangkok and Jakarta. Reporting to the Operations Director, Asia & Australia, you will drive client services, facilities, document services and legal support with a focus on service quality and efficiency.

You will manage local and remote teams, foster continuous improvement, and leverage AI and digital tools to enhance operations, risk controls and business

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in office management roles
• Strong people management skills including leading high performing teams
• Experience in a professional services firm is preferred
• Ability to drive strategic change and leverage AI/technology

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational excellence of Singapore, Bangkok and Jakarta offices
• Oversee Client Services, Facilities Management, Document Services and Legal Support functions
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to improve service quality and efficiency
• Develop and implement regional Office Operations projects and initiatives
• Ensure business continuity and risk controls across Southeast Asia

Skills

Office management

People management

Change management

AI adoption

Client service

Education

Degree in Business and Administration

Job description

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world‑leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years. As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas. We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world. All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Operations Manager, Southeast Asia to lead the operational excellence of our Singapore, Bangkok and Jakarta offices.

Reporting to the Operations Director, Asia & Australia, you will play a pivotal leadership role in ensuring the efficient delivery of office operations across Southeast Asia. You will oversee client services, facilities management, document services and legal support functions, while partnering closely with senior stakeholders to enhance service quality, operational efficiency and employee engagement.

You will be responsible for:

• Efficient delivery of Southeast Asia's Office Operations functions.
• Comprised primarily of Client Services (reception, meeting rooms and catering), Facilities Management, and Document Services.
• This also includes supporting Office Operation's Global Centres of Excellence, comprised of Corporate Real Estate Management, AV/VC, Physical WHS, Document Production, Travel Management and Office Operations Project Delivery.
• Effective management of the Southeast Asia's Legal Support (secretary) function, including collaboration with partners to deliver efficient secretary allocations and workloads.
• Proactively improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Southeast Asia Office Operations and Legal Support functions, including levering AI technology to the maximum extent.
• This may also include leading some Office Operations Projects or Services at the regional level.

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Degree in Business and Administration or related fields.
• 10+ years' experience with office management roles including local and remote staff management.
• Previous experience in a professional services firm.
• Very strong people management skills including leading high performing teams and influencing others.
• Able to drive strategic change including leveraging AI and emerging technologies.
• Genuine passion for client service, aligning with the firm's objective of providing all external clients with an exceptional experience.
• Strong facilities management experience, including in environments requiring some degree of 24x7 operational coverage, and direct experience with physical security and business continuity.
• An excellent level of spoken and written English.
• Able to confidently get message across to senior audiences, present with clarity, energy, confidence and enthusiasm.

Team Office Operations Working Pattern Full time Location Singapore Contract type Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding. At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we align your growth and ambition with ours. We invest in your personal and professional growth and support you to achieve your ambitions. And you share responsibility for playing a part in delivering the firm’s growth and ambition too.

A leading global law firm, with over 6,000 people, we are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. We’re recognised leaders in demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private transactions. We’re immersed in the many challenges facing our clients. We’re invested and resourceful. We understand the part technology and digitalisation play in the delivery of legal services. We want to make a positive impact wherever in the world we operate. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with this with an open mind and curiosity. We are known for our diverse perspectives and renowned for our culture. Being human, bold and outstanding are more than our values: you’ll discover they are our lived experience. And by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your growth. Our ambition.