Receptionist / Conference Facilitator

An exciting new career opportunity has arisen for an accomplished, organised and highly professional individual to join a growing business. You will be joining a team that has built long-standing commercial success and an impressive reputation for providing outstanding specialist advisory services to clients across the globe.

Our client is a leading commercial barristers' chambers, with a thriving domestic and international practice, specialising in providing services across the areas of construction and engineering; energy and natural resources; infrastructure and utilities; international arbitration; IT and technology; offshore construction and marine engineering; planning and environment; procurement; competition; and associated professional negligence.

The successful Receptionist / Conference Facilitator will work as the first point of contact for visitors to Chambers, creating a professional and welcoming environment for clients and other visitors. They will provide effective and efficient support services to ensure the smooth running of front of house. They will ensure conference suite bookings are fully planned and managed and will handle all calls to Chambers courteously and efficiently.  

The ideal applicant is a diligent, confident and professional individual, able to provide the full range of reception duties in a friendly and proactive manner. The successful candidate will report directly to the Finance and Administration Manager.

Key Responsibilities 

• Providing a courteous service to all enquiries.
• Operating the switchboard and actioning calls as appropriate.
• Taking messages and ensuring they reach the appropriate person promptly.
• Welcoming visitors and advising of arrivals as required or directed.
• Advising clerks of clients arriving in the building.
• Advising the administration department of any contractors in the building.  Providing permits to work, if appropriate.
• Ensuring building security entry and exit procedures are adhered to.
• Booking conference rooms on the Chambers practice management system (Lex).
• Ordering lunches for conferences, meetings, etc.
• Assisting with mini-pupillage and pupillage application processes.
• Assisting with advertising Legal Assistant vacancy on university websites.
• Keeping reception areas clean and tidy.
• Booking restaurants and taxis and ordering flowers/gifts/couriers as requested.
• Ordering coffee, tea, crockery, glassware, cutlery and all other sundry or stock items as required.
• Receiving deliveries and liaising with the post room to ensure prompt dispatch to addressee.
• Assisting the administration department with various duties.
• Ensuring stock room always has sufficient wine, beer, Champagne, etc. with fridges fully stocked.

Skills & Experience

• Educated to GCSE standard as a minimum, with 5 GCSEs including English and Maths minimum grade 5 (or equivalent)
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a reception role ideally in the professional services sector
• Well presented, conscientious and reliable
• Excellent organisational skills
• Professional with an eye for detail 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including excellent telephone manner
• Self-motivated and proactive with a willingness to learn
• Ability to plan ahead and prioritise workloads effectively
• Good IT skills with experience of O365

Benefits

• 20 days holiday plus bank holidays (rising to 22 days after one year and 25 days after two years) 
• 6% pension contribution
• Bonus scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Permanent health insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Half day 'birthday' holiday

This is a superb opportunity for a highly organised individual with a positive outlook, excited by the prospect of a career in a client facing role within the legal sector. It is an ideal full time role for a friendly individual with a professional demeanour and a client-focused attitude. You will be part of a small team that works closely together to deliver outstanding client service.