Costs Team Leader - Sheffield, United Kingdom - Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell

Verified Company

Sheffield, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Fixed Costs
We're a national law firm with a local reach.

Our philosophy is 'Expert Hand, Human Touch' - something you'll find in the way we work with our clients and how we support our teams.

But, we're more than just a law firm - we're a team, working together to help individuals and businesses navigate life's ups and downs.

Whichever team you join, working here you'll feel a part of our friendly and inclusive environment. We'll value you for who you are and what you bring.

We support each other and push boundaries to achieve incredible things, and make a real difference to our clients and communities.

The work we do has been recognised in the awards we've won. We're committed to being even better, and our awards help to show we're on the right track.

We recognise that the office 9-5 isn't for everyone. That's why we've introduced 'Flexible by Choice'.

Whether it's working from home, in our offices, or a combination of the both, we trust each other to support our clients, colleagues and communities at the right time, in the right way.

Your Role and What You'll Be Doing
As the Costs Team Leader, you will be responsible for leading a team of Trainees/Law Cost Draftsmen/Administrators
- line management responsibility may span across more than one location and/or remotely. You will be the key point of contact for senior stakeholders (typically Partners, Senior Associates and Associates) in the locations they are aligned to, in order to provide support and ensure that the Costs service provided meets agreed service levels and standards.

You will need to lead an engaged and motivated team and deploy best practice to effectively performance manage and develop all individuals in your team.

You will be a positive role model for change and be expected to lead and champion continuous improvement across the wider Costs team.

You will report to the Costs Manager and may need to deputise for them if required.

You will be:

Responsible for recovery of costs for the firm and its clients. This may include preparation of Bills of Costs, Schedules, Bundles, Budgets, claims for costs against the Legal Services Commission, claims and breakdowns of costs to clients, other types of costs claims & monitoring and chasing payment of costs.
May also be responsible for the litigation of bills through the court process to include negotiations with opponents and advocacy at Detailed Assessment Hearings if necessary and as agreed with the Costs Manager and processing bills of costs once assessed in order to obtain cost certificates
Line management responsibility for a team of Trainees/Law Cost Draftsmen/Administrators, which would include all elements of supervision (file reviews, 121's), training and development, performance management and performance reviews
Undertake case plans
Responsibility for checking the bills/schedules/budgets completed by other team members
Provide technical support to Case Handlers answering technical queries and assisting as necessitated by the position
Could be involved with assisting other members of the Costs Management Team with technical support and with quality control as necessitated by the position and as agreed with the Costs Manager.
To assist the Costs Manager with the collation of information as necessitated by the firm relating to the recovery of its costs from opponents or clients.
To attend conferences and represent the firm and client as required.

About You

Prior experience in a team leadership position, with operational leadership and people management experience
Ability to manage, engage, delegate to and motivate a local and/or remote team with potentially limited face to face contact
Ability to manage expectations of multiple stakeholders and be resilient in the face of conflicting demands
Confident attending and providing updates in key meetings for a range of stakeholders
Proficiency in collaboration and delegation of duties
Strong organisation skills and attention to detail
Finds the optimum solution to problems by gathering and analysing information and identifying probable causes.
Proven experience as a law costs draftsperson or associated position
Knowledge of time recording procedures
Working knowledge of the Civil Procedure Rules and Legal Aid Regulations
A Law Costs Drafting qualification, other legal or financial qualification would be desirable

Our Benefits - What We Can Offer You

25 days annual leave, with the opportunity to buy additional leave
Two fundraising days in a year to give back to the community (fully paid)
Westfield Health membership, offering discounted leisure and travel and refunds on medical services

We also offer a huge number of well-being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace as well as flexible working options to ensure that you are fully supported to work the way that best suits you.

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