Job Description

LEGAL PRACTICE MANAGER

An exciting opportunity has arisen within Cheshire East's Legal Services Team for a Legal Practice Manager responsible for our Business Support Unit which support the Legal Services team of professionals.



This is a full-time permanent role.

Organisation

Cheshire East Council

Location

Crewe

Job Category

Legal and Governance

Grade

CEC NJC - Grade 10

Salary Min

41,771 per annum

Salary Max

48,072 per annum

Hours per week

37

Weeks per year

52.143

Employment Type

Permanent

Closing Date

12/09/2025

Ref No

E3234
Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we are able to offer you a wide range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities.



At Cheshire East Council we are working for a brighter future - together and our commitment to you is that our workplace culture will provide a shared purpose, a well-led organisation with valued people succeeding together as one team and one council to deliver the best service for our customers and communities.



If you want to be part of our award-winning council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you.



As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our local communities so that we can all work for a brighter future - together.



Brighter Future



www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/employee-benefits.aspx

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will have responsibility for the management of the staff members within the Legal Services Business Support Team allocating and monitoring of work, undertaking regular team meetings and 1:1's, supporting development of the team members and ensuring they in turn support members of Legal Services. As well as managing the team, you will be required to lead the continuous development of the Services practices, operations and workforce by ensuring policies and processes are efficient and effective which assists those within the legal team to provide the delivery of quality and timely legal advice thereby ensuring an effective Service. In addition, you will provide day to day procedural advice, operational support and guidance to the wider team and senior managers within Legal Services and strategic advice on policy and process development. You will work closely with the Head of Service to ensure the Legal Services case management system is run effectively, produce reports for senior managers on such matters as chargeable hours, monitor the budget and income, together with identifying areas for improvement, increased income generation and lead the business administration for the service. You will also be part of the Legal Services Management Team and work closely with the Head of Service and other Team Managers to contribute to its strategic operation as part of Governance and Compliance and Corporate Services as a whole.



This role is diverse and no two days are the same. For more information please view the 'In This Job You Will' section of the attached JDPS document.

ABOUT YOU

You will;


Hold a degree or equivalent in a relevant subject such as business management. Have extended experience in business or office management preferably in a legal practice or local authority legal department Have developed and implemented business management and support processes, systems and the like Have a theoretical knowledge of business processes including service and business planning Be able to interrogate and interpret data Knowledge and undertaking of information governance Know and understand the processes and procedures operated within a legal department/practice Be innovative and able to solve problems Have good communicator Have developed ICT and accountancy skills Be flexible and able to deliver an excellent service

Find out more about our essential criteria for the role please view the 'In This Job You Will Need' section within the attached JDPS document.

WHAT WE GIVE IN RETURN

ENHANCED ANNUAL LEAVE - 34 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) from day 1, increasing up to 39 days after only 5 years' service

ENHANCED PUBLIC PENSION - A career average pension (contributions built at a rate of 1/49th of your yearly pensionable pay

FLEXIBLE WORKING PATTERN - 37-hour standard full time working week and negotiable hybrid/remote working arrangements

PURCHASE OF ANNUAL LEAVE - The ability to purchase up to 10 days' extra annual leave each year in addition to your normal annual leave entitlements (this is pro-rata for part time staff)

CYCLE TO WORK SCHEME - Receive up Income Tax and National Insurance savings of up to 25-39% off the retail price of the bike and safety equipment package (savings dependent on the value of your chosen package and your tax status

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME - A completely free to use and confidential assistance service for all employees to help staff manage, reduce and overcome the impact of life issues which they may experience from time to time, both within work and their personal life

PAID VOLUNTEER LEAVE - Up to two days paid leave per year to volunteer for local organisations in the borough of Cheshire East

VIRGIN MEDIA AND O2 DISCOUNTS - Exclusive discounts on Virgin Media Broadband and O2 pay monthly plans.

DISCOUNTED GYM MEMBERSHIPS - Access to corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure which includes:

Gym, Swim and Group Fitness at all 16 facilities Off-Peak Racket Sports Athletics Tracks Sauna/Steam/Spa

To find out more about our rewards and benefits package, please click on the following link; Employee benefits (cheshireeast.gov.uk)

ABOUT US

Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we can offer you a wide range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities. At Cheshire East Council we are working for a brighter future - together and our commitment to you is that our workplace culture will provide a shared purpose, a well-led organisation with valued people succeeding together as one team and one council to deliver the best service for our customers and communities.

HOW TO APPLY

If you want to be part of our award-winning council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you. To apply for the role please Apply for this job at the bottom of the page, or, for or an informal chat about the role please contact: Jennie Summers - Acting Head of Legal Services and Acting Director of Governance and Compliance and Monitoring Officer via email jennie.summers@cheshireeast.gov.uk

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please contact Jennie Summers via the email address above.



Cheshire East Council is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults across the Borough. As such, any cautions, convictions, reprimands or final warnings that are 'not protected' as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) order 1975 (as amended in 2013) relating to the non-disclosure of spent convictions do not apply to this job. You must therefore, disclose whether you have any previous convictions where prompted to do so within the application process.



Internet Explorer is no longer supported so please use a different browser when you submit your application - for example Google Chrome or Microsoft edge. You will also need to ensure pop ups are enabled.



Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.



If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however please do not be discouraged from applying again. For any technical enquiries please email: sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk.



Please quote the job reference number in all correspondence.



Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.



If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however please do not be discouraged from applying again.



For any technical enquiries please email sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk



Please quote job reference number in all correspondence.