Resource Manager

Job Description

**Key Responsibilities**

We are seeking a proactive and highly organised Resource Manager to provide strategic and operational support to optimise resource allocation within the firm. This role is critical to ensuring we deliver exceptional client service while maintaining a sustainable workload for our team members.
Acting as a trusted advisor to the Practice Area Leads (PAL), General Manager, Head of HR, and other partners, the Resource Manager will ensure that manpower planning and resource management align with the firm’s business objectives. The role involves managing work allocation for approximately 90 fee-earners across multiple practice areas, while exploring innovative resourcing solutions such as Global Delivery Centres, legal technology, and process improvements.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Advisory & Leadership:

- Act as trusted advisor to Partners and the General Manager, providing strategic advice on manpower planning and resourcing to align with business growth and profitability goals.
- Develop and implement resource management strategies, forecasting future capacity needs and addressing potential gaps.

Resource Allocation and Optimization
- Optimise work allocation to ensure efficient deployment of lawyers, balancing profitability, client delivery, and development goals.
- Incorporate individual preferences and development goals when assigning workloads to senior associates and junior staff.
- Identify and implement solutions to manage over
- or under-capacity situations effectively.
- Develop and implement strategies to ensure effective allocation of resources across projects, departments, and teams.
- Monitor capacity and utilization rates to identify underused or overburdened resources and take corrective action to balance workloads.
- Collaborate with Practice heads and general manager to align resource planning with business priorities.

Data-Driven Decision Making
- Use resource management tools and analytics to track utilization metrics, forecast capacity, and identify trends.
- Provide regular reports and actionable insights to firm leadership on resource utilization, efficiency improvements, and potential bottlenecks.
- Ensure accurate tracking of billable and non-billable hours to optimize firm-wide profitability.

Process Improvement and Collaboration
- Lead initiatives to streamline resource management processes, including scheduling, workload balancing, and capacity planning.
- Foster cross-departmental collaboration to improve communication and transparency in resource planning.
- Implement best practices and tools to improve team productivity and increase utilization across the firm.
- Work with the Global Business Support teams to ensure consistent, accurate resource data and timely management reporting.
- Facilitate mobility and agility with the Practice Areas, and across the global network where appropriate.
- Act as a liaison between global offices to leverage shared resources and expertise.

Alternative Resourcing Solutions:

- Evaluate and integrate alternative delivery models, including Global Delivery Centres and other flexible staffing solutions, to meet client and business demands.
- Identify opportunities to leverage legal technology and automation tools to streamline workflows and reduce manual processes.
- Collaborate with relevant teams to implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and service quality.

Well-Being & Performance Feedback:

- Promote an inclusive and supportive environment by ensuring fair and equitable work distribution.
- Act as a point of contact for associates and partners regarding workload concerns and provide solutions to maintain balance.
- Relay performance feedback obtained during allocation processes to the Head of HR to support lawyer development.
- Incorporate well-being considerations, such as workload balance, holidays, and non-chargeable activities, into resource planning.

**Qualifications**:
Skills & Experience:

- Ideally graduate calibre, with experience in resource management, career development, or training, ideally within a professional services or legal environment.

Key Skills:

- Proven ability to manage resources and influence decision-making at senior levels.
- Strong problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills, demonstrating sound judgment under pressure.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, confident in delivering difficult messages with tact.
- Advanced analytical skills to interpret and present complex data as actionable insights.
- Strong IT proficiency, including Excel, resource management tools, and automation software.

Attributes:

- Commercially minded with excellent operational business acumen.
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships at all levels.
- Highly organised, detail-oriented, and proactive, with a track record of implementing new initiatives.
- Flexible and resilient, able t