Head of Operations

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The firm
Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation and private client advisory.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.
Purpose of job
To provide strategic and operational leadership and management of the Operations Team across all sites to ensure the delivery of an industry leading, client-focused facilities management service (hard and soft services) including building and estates management, front of house, reception, cleaning services, catering, records and archive management, reprographics, health and safety and ESG).
Accountabilities

• Develop and manage an effective and industry leading Operations Team.
• Ensure Birketts buildings and offices are maintained and compliant in accordance with building regulation and HSE legislation.
• Lead on all aspects of Health & Safety and ensure risks arising from workplace activities are assessed and controlled across all sites.
• Provide advice on environmental and sustainability issues and lead on environmental initiatives and KPIs in accordance with the firm's ESG strategy.
• Ensure capital and operational budgets are managed and controlled in accordance with approved expenditure, procurement policies and procedures.
• Lead and manage and projects as directed, ensuring project plans are followed and deadlines met.

The candidate
You will have the ability to contribute at a strategic and operational level, with excellent communication skills and can demonstrate skills in:

• Considerable experience in facilities/operations management ideally within a professional services environment.
• Confident communicator with excellent people skills and ability to maintain and build relationships at all levels.
• Adept at handling demanding situations to gain positive and constructive outcomes.
• Commercial outlook combined with a pragmatic approach.
• Ability to take ownership and use initiative to resolve problems.
• Proven history of building and developing high performing and motivated teams.
• Excellent knowledge of building regulation, services and health and safety legislation.
• Demonstrable experience of successfully negotiating and managing contracts with suppliers.
• Proven ability and experience to manage substantial budgets.
• Skilled project manager who can lead from the front and add technical and practical expertise where necessary.

Qualifications/Experience

• Senior level Facilities Management qualification or degree level equivalent.
• Membership of IWFM or alternative Facilities Management body.
• Health & Safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH/IOSH) and/or a good knowledge and understanding of relevant HSE legislation.
• Prince2, APM, CSM or equivalent PM qualifications and/or demonstrate experience in managing complex projects.

Equal opportunities
We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.

Benefits

One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we are appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. A competitive salary and benefits package is given but you can also expect a great team and supportive colleagues, a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, a programme of wellbeing and mental health support and structured career development and study support.

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays rising with service
• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare - BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Season Ticket Loan
• Gym Flex membership
• Electric car scheme
• Dress for your Day Policy
• Agile Working Policy

We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, based on qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs, and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.