Resource Manager

The primary objective of this team is to oversee all aspects of resource allocation within the group(s), managing the daily deployment of lawyers to various matters. The goal is to meet business objectives while balancing client needs and individual career aspirations. The team works closely with finance and senior management to enhance efficiency and agility and collaborates with HR and leadership to support individual performance and development., We are currently seeking two experienced and proactive Resource Managers to work with Team Leaders, Group Leaders, and the Operations Team, helping drive the firm's commitment to higher organisational performance and a diverse, inclusive culture. Reporting directly to the Senior Resource Manager, you will support teams in the Insurance and/or Commercial Groups. In addition, key responsibilities are likely to include (but are not limited to),

• Developing a strong understanding of the department's needs, ensuring you're visible and accessible as the key contact for work allocation and resourcing.
• Actively engage with partners and associates to understand client requirements and business needs, ensuring effective resourcing decisions.
• Gaining detailed knowledge of individual skills, development needs, and career goals to inform resourcing decisions.
• Taking full responsibility for work allocation across the department on behalf of the Partners, ensuring fair and consistent distribution in line with diversity goals.
• Applying commercial considerations to work allocation, promoting appropriate staffing and alternative delivery options where necessary.
• Conducting regular one-to-one consultations with partners and associates around work allocation, workloads and balance.
• Updating, tracking and monitoring capacity information on a weekly basis and maintaining ad-hoc updates.
• Proactively manage and improve work allocation tools (such as the BigHand Resource Management Tool).
• Tracking and analysing individual activity, identifying any discrepancies in time recording, and escalate issues when required.
Productivity -
• Monitoring chargeable hours and utilisation across individuals, associate levels, and teams.
• Support individuals in improving productivity while balancing commercial needs and workload distribution.
• Enforcing the timesheet policy, encouraging best practices and providing training as needed.
• Coordinating absences (holidays, special leave, unpaid leave) to ensure resourcing needs are always met.
• Working with Partners and other stakeholders to manage non-billable commitments.
• Assisting with the joiner/leaver/returner process, including work reallocation and onboarding.
• Producing accurate, commercially focused Management Information (MI), identifying trends, opportunities, and risks.
Other Duties -
• Striving for continuous improvement and innovation to support the firm's performance.
• Collaborating with other functions, such as Finance, HR, and Business Development, to drive business performance and support resourcing and recruitment efforts.
• Developing scalable and efficient systems, tools, and processes to support the firm.
• Promoting and encourage collaboration across the firm.
• Sharing knowledge and best practices across the department and business.
  
  Demonstrates a growth mindset and is committed to lifelong learning to build knowledge and expertise.
• Significant experience in resource management, work allocation, or planning, ideally within a large professional or corporate environment.
• Experience working within a mid- to large-sized law firm is advantageous but not essential.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to quickly build relationships and adapt to various audiences.
• Comfortable in launching new roles and services, leveraging best practices, and working independently without a set structure.
• Strong focus on day-to-day resource management and delivering continuous positive impact on business performance.
• Effective influencing skills at all levels.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills, with the ability to exercise sound judgment on when to escalate issues.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment, balancing competing demands.
• Exceptional time management and organisational skills.
• Confident and resilient when facing challenges, with experience in conflict resolution.
• Commercially minded with strong risk management and business acumen.
• A trusted advisor providing balanced and pragmatic resource management advice.
• Invests in building strong, productive relationships.
• Integrity-driven with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters discreetly.
• Proactive, positive, and assertive approach with flexibility.
• Agile and adaptable, with the ability to step in and support other Resource Managers during periods of leave or absence, ensuring smooth resource management across the firm.
• Strong IT skills, including data analysis in Excel.
• Experience with resource management software is desirable, and familiarity with the BigHand Resource Management Tool is an advantage.
• A collaborative and influential leader within a team who coaches and develops junior team members to achieve their full potential.
• Committed to being a part of a supportive, inclusive and collaborative firm culture.
  
  Around two years ago, RPC introduced a resource management function within the firm's Insurance Group, and since then, the team has flourished and expanded, now extending into the Commercial Group as well.