Office Manager

Position Overview

The firm is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Office Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the practice and provide advanced administrative, financial, and research support to the principal lawyer. This role is suited to candidates with demonstrated experience in legal practice management within highly regulated and compliance‑driven environments.

Benefits

• Supportive work environment
• Career opportunities
• Flexible working arrangements when operationally applicable
• Collaborative workplace culture

Task & responsibilities

The Office Manager will be responsible for the effective and professional management of the practice, including:

• Managing and coordinating the delivery of legal services, including oversight of court, statutory, and regulatory deadlines, compliance requirements, and service standards.
• Managing legal practice systems, workflows, and procedures to support complex legal matters involving land tenure, mining and exploration tenements, and cultural heritage processes.
• Allocating and supervising work undertaken by staff and external consultants, ensuring work meets professional, legislative, and regulatory standards.
• Maintaining and managing legal files, records, correspondence, and document registers in accordance with legal practice requirements.
• Managing billing, invoicing, disbursements, and financial records, including reconciliation and reporting associated with legal and tenement‑related matters.
• Preparing, reviewing, and tracking invoices and expenses related to legal files, consultant services, and statutory processes.
• Liaising with clients, barristers, consultants, mining and exploration proponents, Indigenous corporations, judicial bodies, and government agencies.
• Managing documentation and correspondence relating to native title claims, cultural heritage agreements, land access arrangements, and mining and exploration tenements.
• Ensuring the practice complies with relevant legislation, professional obligations, policies, and internal procedures applicable to legal practitioners.
• Managing office infrastructure, systems, equipment, and supplies required for a specialist legal practice.
• Providing advanced administrative, legal, policy, and background research support, including research into legislation, policy frameworks, land tenure systems, and regulatory processes.

Qualification & experience

Applicants must demonstrate the following essential skills and experience:

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in an Office Manager or senior administrative role within a legal practice or similarly regulated professional environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing legal files, billing, invoicing, and financial administration in accordance with professional standards.
• Proven experience working in compliance‑driven environments, including the management of statutory or regulatory documentation and deadlines.
• Experience liaising with government departments, statutory authorities, and external professional stakeholders.
• High‑level organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex matters concurrently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including professional drafting and formal correspondence.