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Administrative Support Manager

Buchanan Legal Professional Services
Posted Apr 07
Full TimeWashington, District Of Columbia

A prominent international law firm is seeking an Administrative Support Services Manager to oversee its Secretarial Services team in Washington, D.C. This role is responsible for the daily operations, performance management, staffing, and strategic leadership of a high-performing administrative support department. The ideal candidate will bring a thoughtful, people-first leadership style and a proven track record in optimizing legal support operations.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the secretarial team, including staffing assignments, workload balancing, and absence coverage.
  • Ensure appropriate attorney-to-secretary ratios, updating assignments based on business needs.
  • Partner with leadership to forecast long-term staffing needs and identify opportunities for cross-functional support.
  • Drive performance improvement initiatives, including coaching, documentation, annual reviews, and employee relations in partnership with HR.
  • Oversee departmental budgets and implement cost-saving strategies while maintaining operational excellence.
  • Support onboarding, training, and development programs in collaboration with IT and HR teams.
  • Foster a positive team culture through consistent communication, support, and regular staff meetings.
  • Participate in hiring and recruitment efforts for support staff and mentor junior team members.
  • Stay current with legal industry tools and best practices to continuously improve workflows and efficiency.
  • Monitor and improve internal service delivery by assessing feedback and operational effectiveness, making process and policy recommendations.
  • Collaborate with attorneys and leadership to ensure secretarial support aligns with practice group needs and firm-wide objectives.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
  • 7–10 years of experience in legal administrative support, including at least five years in a supervisory role.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with legal document management systems (e.g., iManage).
  • Strong communication, mentorship, and organizational skills.