Receptionist

Varnum LLP.; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Varnum LLP in Grand Rapids, MI, is seeking a full-time Receptionist to warmly greet clients, manage a multi-line switchboard, and coordinate meetings and events. The role includes travel arrangements for firm members and cross-training in operations to support internal and external clients.

Qualifications include a high school diploma and at least two years of receptionist experience in a professional setting.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent, with emphasis on English and math.
• Two years as a receptionist in a professional office with demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills.
• A hospitality background is a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients and guests in person or on a multi-line switchboard.
• Schedule meetings and events using scheduling software.
• Make travel/hotel arrangements for Firm members.
• Maintain the reception area, supply storage, and shared office areas.
• Assist with ticket handling and events as needed.
• Provide general office support and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Polished professional

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Reliable

Punctual

Flexible

Initiative

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Team player

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

iManage

Job description

Professional staff keep the firm running. Whether you're managing a technology rollout, redesigning a workflow, or coordinating a client event, your expertise enables attorneys to focus on their practice, and it shapes the experience clients have with the firm. You're trusted with real ownership here: leading projects, making decisions, and seeing results.

Whether you work in HR, IT, Finance, Marketing, Recruiting, or another operational function, your expertise is essential to the firm's success. Attorneys depend on the infrastructure you maintain. Clients benefit from the efficiency you create.

Why Professional Staff Choose Varnum

Essential to Firm Success

Essential to Firm Success

Professional staff at Varnum are a critical part of our competitive advantage. We treat our business units as strategic experts, ensuring your insights in areas like marketing, client development, IT, finance, reception, central services, client intake, and HR are integrated into the firm’s long-term goals.

Direct Access, Real Influence

Direct Access, Real Influence

Professional staff have direct access to attorneys and are fully integrated into how work gets done. You'll build genuine working relationships, contribute your expertise to firm initiatives, and be recognized as a contributor whose judgment matters. It’s a culture where every role operates within the same system, and people show up for each other accordingly.

Long-Term Investment

Long-Term Investment

People stay here. Our professional staff tenure averages nine years – a reflection of how we operate, not just what we promise. We invest in your long-term growth through internal leadership training and support for external certifications, ensuring that as the firm evolves, your career evolves with it.

"Professional staff play a critical role in our firm's success. Their expertise, perspective, and commitment help move our work forward every day, and their contributions are valued as an essential part of our team."

"Professional staff play a critical role in our firm's success. Their expertise, perspective, and commitment help move our work forward every day, and their contributions are valued as an essential part of our team." Emily Kuzma, Senior Human Resources Manager

"One of the things I appreciate most about Varnum is that professional staff are viewed as colleagues, not just employees."

"One of the things I appreciate most about Varnum is that professional staff are viewed as colleagues, not just employees." Kate McCarthy, Research & Library Services Specialist

"The expectations are high, but so is the support. You’re surrounded by people who want you to succeed."

"The expectations are high, but so is the support. You’re surrounded by people who want you to succeed." Connor Klunder, Finance Manager

"Professional staff play a critical role in our firm's success. Their expertise, perspective, and commitment help move our work forward every day, and their contributions are valued as an essential part of our team."

"Professional staff play a critical role in our firm's success. Their expertise, perspective, and commitment help move our work forward every day, and their contributions are valued as an essential part of our team." Emily Kuzma, Senior Human Resources Manager

"One of the things I appreciate most about Varnum is that professional staff are viewed as colleagues, not just employees."

"One of the things I appreciate most about Varnum is that professional staff are viewed as colleagues, not just employees." Kate McCarthy, Research & Library Services Specialist

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Job Id:286

# of Openings:1

RECEPTIONIST

Varnum's main office in Grand Rapids is looking for a full-time Receptionist. This client-facing role combines traditional receptionist duties, hospitality responsibilities, and general office support, with cross‑training in several areas to serve both internal and external clients.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS:

This position reports to the Human Resource Coordinator.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Greet clients and guests in person or on a multi-line switchboard. Responsible for ensuring a positive experience.
• Use customer service principles, techniques, and skills to communicate with clients and guests.
• Schedule meetings and events using scheduling software.
• Make travel/hotel arrangements for Firm members.
• Ability to work with vendors and outside service providers.
• Responsible for keeping the reception area, supply storage, and other shared office areas on the different floors stocked, clean, and organized.
• Assist with ticket handling.
• May be asked to provide assistance during on-site evening events.
• May be asked to assist Human Resources/Marketing in planning events.
• Assist with setting up conference rooms for meetings and events. Some minimal lifting is involved along with the rearranging/moving of tables and chairs.
• Order meals for meetings and other office events.
• Provide general office support and other administrative tasks as requested.
• Follow security and safety procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality in all Firm and client matters.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent, emphasizing courses in English and math.

Experience:

Two years as a receptionist in a professional office environment with demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills and excellent attendance record. A hospitality background is a plus, but not required.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Polished professional
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• Responsible
• Reliable
• Dependable
• Punctual
• Flexible
• Takes initiative
• Ability to meet priorities, deadlines and unforeseen needs
• Can multi-task with ease
• Attention to detail to processes/procedures
• Works well both independently and as part of a team
• Valid Drivers License

Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in computer applications, such as MS Office Suite and document management systems like iManage.
• Switchboard experience.

Hours:

• 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
• 100% in-person

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements.