Hill Dickinson LLP is a leading and award-winning international commercial law firm with offices in Birmingham, Hong Kong, Leeds, Limassol, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Monaco, Newcastle, Piraeus and Singapore. With more than 1000 people including 200 partners and legal directors, the firm delivers advice and strategic guidance spanning the full legal spectrum, from non-contentious advisory and transactional work, to all forms of commercial litigation. Hill Dickinson acts as a trusted adviser to a wide portfolio of clients across a wide range of specialist sectors: from transport and logistics and international trade, through to retail, insurance, marine, health, education, manufacturing, public sector and banking and financial services. Job role: Secretary Hours : Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 17:00 (35 hours per week) Hill Dickinson are proud to be named as a Top Ten Employer for Working Families 2024 and so, we are happy to consider flexible working opportunities to help you balance your work and home life. Office requirement: As part of the role, you will be required to work in the Leeds office 2 days a week, however, will have the opportunity to work from home for the rest of the working week. Team: Employment Commercial Location: Leeds Benefits: At Hill Dickinson we understand that incentives go far beyond a good salary, so we have created a comprehensive benefits package tailored around our people. Here are some examples of what we offer: 25 days’ annual leave Birthday privilege day and Christmas shutdown Holiday buy, sell and carryover scheme 2 charity volunteering or pro bono days BUPA Medicash Annual fitness allowance Home working equipment Flexible pension scheme ISA saving scheme and independent financial advice Enhanced family leave policies Access to 10 days fully subsidised emergency or back-up care per year. This can be used for childcare, back up adult and elder care. EAP with access to counselling Life assurance Permanent health insurance Annual travel season ticket loan Hybrid working and dress for your day policy Bespoke training and development opportunities Role overview Introduction to the role: You will provide an effective and flexible secretarial service to the Employment Commercial teams based mainly in Leeds and London, alongside two other Employment Commercial dedicated secretaries who are based in Liverpool and Manchester. You will be based in Leeds and provide support to the employment teams in Leeds and London, however there will not be a requirement to travel to the London office. You will become familiar with the team’s various client matters and provide support and assistance to other members of the secretarial team when required. Introduction to the team: Experts in their field, the Employment Commercial team provides advice to company owners, HR professionals, in house lawyers and senior employees and executives on a range of both contentious and non-contentious issues. The team in Leeds is headed up by Glenn Hayes, Partner, and also consists of another Partner, 1 Legal Director. 1 Associate and 1 Trainee Solicitor. The London team consists of a partner, 1 Legal Director and 2 Associates and 1 Trainee. The teams are part of a national team of 32, who are based across our Leeds, Liverpool, London and Manchester offices. The London team is headed up by Blair Adams, Partner and also consists of 1 Legal Director, 1 Senior Associate, 1 Associate and 1 Apprentice Solicitor. The team has a strong culture of collaboration, respect and transparency both with our clients and our people, which reflects the Hill Dickinson core values. Key responsibilities: Coordinating administration of the Employment Commercial team including: Diary management / arranging meetings Coordinating team diaries and arranging travel Opening of client files Ensuring regular and efficient billing and monitoring retainer arrangements Carry out copying, archiving, organisation of client files and filing systems, including electronic filing Make and receive telephone calls, ensuring all calls are managed Arrange couriers/deliveries Dealing with invoices Prepare monthly client billing, expense claims and general finance tasks Maintain database with client and contact details Organisation of meetings, domestic and international travel, accommodation and attendance at external events and conference Developing good working relationships with both internal colleagues and external clients and contacts as required, promoting a positive working culture and environment Working across teams, including in particular business development, in promoting the interests of business Draft correspondence and prepare standard documentation from audio/copy Developing industry knowledge and attending training as may be necessary or desirable to assist in performance of the role What are we looking for: Essential Previous experience working in a legal environment Willingness to travel and support at external events when required Fast and accurate typing speeds Previous experience using a case management system Conversant in document formatting including track changes, auto-numbering and creating table of contents Conversant in document version control Proficient in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Digital dictation and any other in-house systems in use throughout the firm Proficient in diary management; meeting arrangements, telephone and email communication Excellent communication skills Ability to prioritise tasks and to work under pressure Able to demonstrate adaptability and flexibility Able to produce accurate work with strong attention to detail Team player who is able to work as part of a team and use initiative but also able to work independently Desirable Previous experience working in a law firm. Secretary qualification or a similar related qualification Conversant with a Document Management System (DMS) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Hill Dickinson is committed to providing fairness and equal opportunity for all regardless of age, gender, gender identity, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital or transgender status, nationality, religion or belief. We understand that our power as a firm comes from empowering our people and that it is only by encouraging and enabling individuals to be themselves at work that we can truly benefit from their rich and varied strengths. Hill Dickinson is an equal opportunities employer. All applications received by the firm will be considered based on their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background and from all routes to qualification, with both the SRA and CILEx. Disability Support We are a Disability Confident employer, which means if there is anything that we can do to make your visit easier, so you are able to perform at your best, please let us know. You can contact the HR team at hrteamhilldickinson.com should you require any adjustments to the application or interview process. Values Trust – Respect – Innovation – Collaboration At Hill Dickinson, we welcome applications from individuals that are looking to return to the law as well as all routes to qualification, with both the SRA and CILEx. All successful candidates will be subject to our standard pre-employment screening, including a basic criminal record check via Disclosure and Barring Service. Any offer of employment made is conditional upon completion of all checks. Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.