Transaction Support Manager

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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.
The department
We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Transaction Support Manager to join our Commercial Real Estate Teams in Ipswich serving the wider the Real Estate Division. This role is pivotal in facilitating the smooth execution of conveyancing transactions, primarily focusing on administrative tasks related to HM Land Registry applications.

The role forms part of a new process to support the work of commercial real estate lawyers both in Ipswich and other offices across the firm within a new team. Over time, and as the remit of the team is expanded into other areas the role will also involve assisting with other aspects of the post-completion processes in conveyancing transactions including (for instance) preparing stamp duty tax returns and supervising the work undertaken by the Transaction Support Team.

Accountabilities

• Assist conveyancing teams with administrative tasks at various stages of transactions.
• Prepare and submit HM Land Registry applications accurately and in a timely manner using online digital filing tools.
• Monitor and report on the progress of applications within the HM Land Registry systems including dealing with enquiries raised and liaising with practice teams on completion of applications
• Assist with post-completion matters, including filing and archiving of documents.
• Stay updated on relevant legislation and procedural changes affecting conveyancing transactions.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure efficient workflow and adherence to deadlines.
• Prepare and file stamp duty tax returns as required.
• Perform other post completion administrative tasks (including electronic registration of charges at Companies House).
• Report on key performance indicators such as the rate of enquiry (requisitions) raised on applications with a view to reducing the firm's overall requisition rate relative to current levels.
• Support and manage other members of the Transaction Support Team including overseeing training and onboarding of new Transaction Support Assistants and dealing with day to day enquiries arising during the course of their work.
• Reporting to the supervising Partner on progress against key performance indicators and identifying other opportunities for the Transaction Support Team to support the wider Commercial Real Estate Teams.

General Approach

• To show a positive approach and interest in the work that your fee earners are undertaking;
• Show initiative when responding to queries and actively try to seek solutions to problems;
• To support and build working relationships with your own fee earners as well as other members of the team and to actively work for the interests of the whole team;
• To support and build working relationships with your colleagues in the secretarial team.

The candidate
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a dynamic and growing team dealing with high quality work. There is considerable scope to develop the nature of the role within the Transaction Support Team by actively seeking out other opportunities to provide strategic support to the real estate teams across the various stages of conveyancing transactions. This may include developing work streams within the Team to focus on specific aspects of the conveyancing process including improvement of processes and deployment of technologies to drive efficiencies.

We are looking for:

• Previous experience in a legal or conveyancing environment is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with HM Land Registry procedures and applications is advantageous. Previous experience of using the Infotrack e-filing platform would be particularly useful.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and legal software applications.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and work effectively under pressure.
• Proactive attitude and willingness to learn new skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong team player with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues.

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.

https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays rising with service. (SA + 30 days)
• 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 CSR day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Season Ticket Loan
• Gym Flex membership
• Electric car scheme
• Dress for your Day Policy
• Agile Working Policy
• 35 hour working week

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.