Resource Manager

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

The role

The Resource Manager will be expected to act as a trusted advisor to the GFM Practice Area Management Team, comprising of the Practice Area Leader (PAL), Practice Area Manager (PAM), Senior HR Business Partner and other Partners (as appropriate), providing advice and guidance to support effective resource management.

This is a 12-month maternity cover FTC, with the possibility to extend to permanent

What you will be responsible for

The role will focus on optimising the allocation of work and the deployment of lawyers to maximise profitability and contribute to their personal development.

Key responsibilities will include:

• To act as trusted advisor to the Partners in respect of workflow planning and resourcing, attending weekly Partner meetings across teams to offer strategic advice, as well as to discuss pipeline and trends
•  To ensure the optimal allocation of work and the efficient deployment of staff to maximise profitability, including the cross-deployment of resource across practice areas and jurisdictions
• To ensure fair allocations across several different teams, adapting approach to suit varied working styles and product specialisms
•  To identify appropriate workloads for varying levels of associates and trainees incorporating the individuals’ preferences and development goals where possible
•  To provide help and advice to fee earners with regards to career development, experience, and interest alignment, attending regular 1:1 meetings and capturing relevant data to support work allocation.
•  To identify and implement practical solutions to alleviate over / under capacity by promoting, encouraging, and facilitating the cross-deployment of resource both cross practice and cross jurisdictional, giving access to a wider pool of resource
•  To ensure TOIL, holidays, administration time, and non-chargeable duties are built into the plan
•  Providing forecast and utilisation reports for the PAL and Partner group, plus any other ad hoc reports that may be requested on a weekly basis
•  Ensuring that the overall resourcing view is accurate and up-to-date at all times. Ensure that timely and targeted management information is produced
•  Promoting lower cost resourcing options across the practice areas, highlighting the relevant skills, experience, and cost savings by utilising alternative resource models. Regularly meet with delivery centre leads to discuss pipeline and offer insights to promote these cost savings
•  Ensure any feedback obtained during the work allocation process on associates' performance is passed on to the HR manager
•  Prepare and give presentations every 6 months to the Trainee intake coming into the relevant practice areas, attending individual meetings as required
•  Positively contribute to helping the firm achieve its Diversity & Inclusion objectives through sharing insights and information, assisting with relevant projects and initiatives relating to resource management
• Work with relevant Business Professional teams to move forward relevant resource management related projects, such as AI exploration
• Assist with the implementation of resource management of relevant product lines across our European offices, as part of our One Europe approach. This will include regular discussions and meetings with relevant stakeholders across jurisdictions
• Ensure a high level of pastoral care service to both lawyers and trainees, undergoing relevant training provided by the inclusion and wellbeing teams as required

Your experience

Skills:

• You will have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, with the confidence to communicate with a variety of different stakeholders across the Firm.
•  You will have strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence key stakeholders, balancing and aligning differing priorities while ensuring forward momentum even in complex, multi‑partner environments
•  You will be proactive and an effective problem solver with the ability to work autonomously, using your sound judgement to make effective decisions and responding effectively in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
•  You will be comfortable having sensitive/tough conversations with both lawyers and senior management within the Firm.
•  You will have the ability to adapt your communication, influencing, and negotiation techniques for individuals with diverse working styles to achieve the desired outcome.
•  You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to liaise at all levels within the firm and build and maintain strong relationships with various levels of stakeholders.
•  You will have a genuine care for people in relation to their development and success within a high performing commercial context.
•  You will be an accurate worker with high attention to detail, and excellent organisational skills.
•  You will have the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
•  You will be expected to embrace the culture and working of the practice area to determine the appropriate solution whilst taking into account the Firm's wider requirements.
•  You will be commercially minded, with a demonstrable ability to effect positive change in a global organisation.
•  You will be a strong team player including sharing and adopting best practice to ensure standardisation where appropriate.

Experience:

• You will have proven experience managing high volumes of urgent actions while maintaining accuracy and focus, ideally gained within a large, fast-paced commercial environment.
•  You will have experience working with a broad range of stakeholders, confidently balancing competing priorities to deliver effective outcomes.
•  You will have experience of professional career development/training or similar experience gained within a law firm with a solid understanding and appreciation of the skills and personal attributes of lawyers.
•  You will have strong problem solving and conflict resolution experience.

Knowledge:

• You will have excellent IT skills including a thorough working knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook and experience of conducting on-line research.
•  An understanding of financial fundamentals as well as how law firms operate would prove highly beneficial.

How we will support you

From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.

Hybrid working

This role follows our 'balanced' hybrid working approach and as long as business needs allow, you will be supported to work in a hybrid way with the expectation of working from the office for a minimum of 50% of your time.
 

What we offer including our broad range of benefits and working environment

When you join Clifford Chance, you will have access to a broad range of benefits to support you across many aspects of your personal and professional life including financial, wellbeing, lifestyle, and family friendly benefits. For more information on what we offer specifically in the UK, please visit our What We Offer page on our career site. 
 

Equal opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. 

Find out more about our inclusive culture here.