Practice Manager

PRACTICE MANAGER

Pure Business Law | Bedford

Job type: Full-time

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9.00 am–5.00 pm, with a one-hour lunch break

Working arrangement: On-site

Salary: £35,000–£45,000 per annum, depending on experience

Benefits: Performance bonus | Referral bonus | 20 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays | Employer pension contribution.

About Pure Business Law

Pure Business Law (“PBL”) is a specialist, partner-led business law firm serving SMEs, entrepreneurs, owner-managed businesses and individuals across the East of England and beyond.

We provide practical, commercially astute and cost-effective legal advice. By understanding our clients’ businesses, objectives and commercial pressures, we deliver solutions that support their wider goals and build lasting relationships based on trust, expertise and excellent service.

Our practice covers Construction, Commercial and Corporate Law, Employment, IT and Technology, Commercial Property, and Dispute Resolution and Litigation. As the firm grows, we are developing a specialist Commercial & Construction practice focused on commercial and construction contracts, drafting and negotiation, contractual risk management and construction-related disputes.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced, highly organised and commercially minded Practice Manager to support the Managing Director, senior staff and consultants in the day-to-day management and continued growth of PBL.

This is a varied, hands-on role combining practice management and finance. You will help implement the firm’s business strategy, identify opportunities for growth, maintain effective systems and processes, and support the efficient running of the practice. You will also contribute to the development of PBL’s specialist Commercial & Construction practice.

Key Responsibilities

Practice Management

• Oversee the effective day-to-day management and administration of the practice, providing proactive support to the Managing Director, staff and consultants.
• Maintain and improve internal processes, systems and procedures to promote efficiency and consistency.
• Coordinate diaries, meetings, events and other administrative requirements.
• Support practice compliance and operational requirements, including insurance and data protection.
• Maintain accurate practice records and documentation, ensuring confidential client and business information is handled appropriately.
• Manage relationships with external suppliers and professional advisers, including contracts for IT, telecommunications and other office services.
• Resolve operational issues promptly and support the introduction and maintenance of appropriate office systems and technology.
• Work with the Managing Director, staff and consultants to implement the firm’s business development and growth strategy.
• Develop an understanding of the firm’s target markets and services, particularly in construction, manufacturing, complex supply chains and the SME sector.
• Research prospective clients, organisations, sectors and markets; identify target contacts and potential sources of new revenue.
• Identify opportunities within the existing client base, professional networks and wider business community.
• Assist in maintaining business development spreadsheets, contact databases and management information, providing regular updates and reports to the Managing Director and consultants.
• Track enquiries, activities, opportunities and outcomes, and monitor progress against agreed objectives.
• Support relationships with existing and prospective clients and professional contacts, including responding to initial enquiries and arranging meetings where appropriate.
• Assist with proposals, presentations and marketing materials, and help organise networking, client and business development events, following up opportunities arising from them.
• Identify ways to strengthen client relationships and develop additional sources of work.

Finance and Accounting

• Manage day-to-day bookkeeping and financial administration, including invoices, payments, receipts and bank reconciliations.
• Prepare and monitor cash-flow forecasts and support budgeting and financial planning.
• Prepare regular financial and management information for the Managing Director and consultants.
• Manage VAT administration and submissions, liaising with external accountants as appropriate.
• Oversee expenses, supplier payments and routine financial matters.
• Liaise with external accountants on annual accounts, tax returns and other statutory matters.
• Maintain appropriate financial controls and procedures.

The postholder may also be required to undertake any other duties that are reasonable, appropriate and consistent with the responsibilities of the role.

About You

You will be organised, proactive and commercially aware, with the confidence to take ownership of tasks and contribute to the development of a growing professional services business. You will ideally have:

• Experience in practice, office or business management, preferably in a professional services environment.
• Confidence with bookkeeping and day-to-day financial administration, supported by a sound understanding of accounting principles.
• A genuine interest in business development and the ability to identify prospective clients, markets and revenue opportunities.
• An interest in construction, manufacturing and the SME business environment, and an understanding of the commercial needs of these clients.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to turn information into practical business development activity.
• Experience creating and maintaining spreadsheets, databases and management information.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including confidence dealing with senior professionals, clients, prospective clients and external advisers.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Proficiency in relevant office, accounting and business software.

Practice management experience in a business or commercial law firm, or another professional services environment, would be advantageous. However, relevant practice, office or business management experience will also be considered.

The Person We Want

We are looking for someone who demonstrates the following qualities:

• Commercially minded: understands that effective legal services should help clients make sound business decisions and achieve their objectives.
• Entrepreneurial: spots opportunities, takes initiative and wants to contribute to the firm’s growth.
• Client-focused: builds trust, communicates clearly and supports strong, lasting client relationships.
• Ambitious: keen to develop professionally and help the firm strengthen its specialist offering.
• Proactive: takes responsibility, anticipates what needs to be done and makes things happen.
• Collaborative: values teamwork, knowledge-sharing and mutual support.
• Financially aware: appreciates the importance of financial discipline, accurate time recording, effective work-in-progress management and timely billing by fee-earners.

Professional and Personable

You are approachable, personable and confident in your dealings with clients, colleagues and professional contacts. You understand the importance of presenting yourself professionally and maintaining a smart, business-appropriate standard of dress in keeping with the expectations and reputation of a professional law firm.

Why Join Pure Business Law?

This is an opportunity to join an ambitious, growing firm and play a meaningful part in shaping its next stage of development. Working closely with the Managing Director and consultants, you will have the opportunity to:

• Take responsibility for important aspects of the firm’s management, operations and growth.
• Help develop a specialist practice in commercial contracting and construction law.
• Work directly with business owners, entrepreneurs, directors and other senior decision-makers.
• Build and strengthen long-term client and professional relationships.
• Contribute to the firm’s strategy, processes, precedents and specialist services.
• Develop your professional profile and career in a modern, entrepreneurial, partner-led environment where initiative and contribution are valued.

For the right person, the role offers scope to grow with the firm and become an important contributor to the development of PBL’s Commercial & Construction practice.