Operations Director – Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK NEW

Stamford, Lincolnshire
Chattertons Solicitors
Operations Director – Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK

We have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual to join our Senior Management Team as Operations Director.

The successful candidate will be responsible for driving operational excellence across the firm and will develop and implement the firm’s operational strategy to support sustainable growth, regulatory compliance, service quality, and financial performance.

This role ensures that the firm’s infrastructure, systems, processes, and people capabilities are aligned to deliver exceptional client service and support all our colleagues effectively.

The successful candidate will work alongside and report directly to our CEO. We are looking for someone who is proactive, gets things done and is results driven. A key part of the role is performance management.

Location: Stamford (with flexibility to be based at any of our offices) although the role will involve regular travel to all of our offices
Reporting to: CEO (based in Stamford)
Hours: 9am – 5.15pm Monday to Friday
Salary: Dependent on experience

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and deliver the firm’s operational strategy in alignment with the overall business plan.
• Advise the CEO and Board on operational risk, capacity planning, and infrastructure investment.
• Lead firm-wide transformation initiatives including digitalisation, process improvement and systems implementation.
• Contribute to strategic planning, budgeting and performance management.

Operational Management

• Oversee all non-legal operational functions including ICT, HR, Risk & Compliance, Marketing, Facilities, Front-of-House, Procurement and Administrative Support.
• Ensure operational processes are efficient, scalable and support profitable growth.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using data, KPIs and best practice benchmarks.
• Manage supplier relationships and negotiate key contracts to deliver value for money.
• Attend Departmental/Office Meetings as necessary.
• Take a lead role in ensuring the smooth integration of Mergers and Acquisitions.

Financial & Performance Oversight

• Work closely with the Finance Manager to manage operational budgets and control costs.
• Establish measurable KPIs and service standards across business support functions.
• Improve utilisation of resources and operational leverage across the business.
• Build and maintain relationships with colleagues to ensure a high level of staff engagement and performance.
• Evaluate employee productivity and performance and recommend strategies for improvement. In particular, improve Fee Earner utilisation rates.
• Conduct quarterly Fee Earner Reviews and ensure that support reviews take place.
• Take the lead on ensuring we are best placed to improve our Legal 500 rankings each year and maintain our excellent client review ratings.

Risk, Compliance & Governance and Health & Safety

• Ensure operational compliance with SRA and FCA regulations, LawNet/Lexcel/ISO standards and other relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Oversee business continuity planning, disaster recovery and crisis management protocols.
• Collaborate with our Risk & Compliance team to embed robust operational controls.
• Implement and maintain a calendar of key operational dates.
• Take on the role of Health & Safety Responsible Person.

Technology & Innovation

• Lead the firm’s technology roadmap in partnership with the ICT Manager.
• Champion legal tech adoption, automation and AI-enabled efficiencies. Play a key role in conjunction with our ICT Manager to implement and drive change in the use of AI within the business.
• Ensure data governance, cybersecurity resilience and information security standards are maintained.
• Foster a high-performance, service-oriented culture across the firm whilst ensuring our colleagues feel supported and that their wellbeing is a top priority.
• Drive change management initiatives and promote departmental collaboration.
• Support the recruitment of new colleagues as necessary.
• Deal with any staff issues and disciplinary matters.
• Deal with any team restructure requirements.
• Promote and represent the firm at external events.

Client Experience

• Improve client onboarding processes and service consistency.
• Support pricing, matter management and workflow optimisation initiatives.

Candidate Profile

• Senior operational leadership experience within a mid-to-large professional services firm (legal sector strongly preferred).
• Experience operating at senior or firmwide level.
• Demonstrable success delivering operational or digital transformation programmes.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.
• A Mental Health First Aider (holding a Mental Health First Aider Certificate or be willing to undertake such training).
• Strong understanding of law firm economics, regulatory environment and law firm structures.
• Strategic thinker with hands on delivery capability.
• Ability to influence colleagues and speak with authority.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to quickly establish and maintain good working relationships at all levels.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Strong analytical and data driven decision making capability.
• Outstanding leadership and communication skills.
• Able to work with diplomacy and assertiveness.
• High degree of competency in using Microsoft packages, Word, PowerPoint & Excel
• Discrete with the ability to maintain high levels of confidentiality.
• Flexible and must be willing / able to travel to all of our offices.
• Proactive and positive attitude.
• Reacts well under pressure and able to work to deadlines.
• High level of integrity and empathy.
• Team player.
• Sense of humour.
• Present a credible and business like approach.
• Thrives in a fast paced environment and enjoys implementing change.
• Gets things done and is results driven.

Why work at Chattertons

Founded in 1856, Chattertons is one of the UK’s oldest and most respected law firms, proudly serving communities across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands. As a Top 200 law firm, we offer a comprehensive range of legal and financial services to individuals and businesses, with particular expertise in commercial property, corporate law, dispute resolution, and agriculture. Our commitment to excellence is matched by our dedication to local engagement-many of our team members actively contribute to the community as trustees, governors, and business advocates.

Benefits: Some of the great benefits that we offer include:

Chattertons recognises that it is essential to provide equal opportunities to all persons without discrimination. The firm has an Equality and Diversity Policy and this sets out the firm’s position on equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. This is available upon request.

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