Deputy Legal Practice Manager Full Time NEW

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 11.59pm, 25 May 2026

Interview method: in person

Interview date: 8 June 2026

Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This Role Is Subject To

• Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
• 2 References: where possible we require 3 years’ history.
• Qualification: Diploma in Management and Leadership (Level 5) or equivalent, and PRINCE2 Practitioner or equivalent

Manchester City Council’s Legal Services provides day‑to‑day legal and democratic support to the Council, its Members, officers, partners and stakeholders, enabling them to deliver priorities safely, lawfully and effectively in line with the Our Manchester Strategy. We are a Lexcel‑accredited legal practice, with ambition to achieve ISO 9001 accreditation in the coming years.

Reporting to the Head of Business Support and Development, the Deputy Legal Practice Manager will play a pivotal role in modernising and strengthening the operational backbone of Legal Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational leadership for digital systems including the Our Legal Case Management System (OLCMS).
• Lead systems improvement ensuring compliance with Lexcel and ISO 9001 principles.
• Oversee procurement and management of legal research and ancillary systems.
• Oversee production of performance data, reporting and analytics to internal and external clients.
• Ensure compliance with service level agreements.
• Coordinate business continuity planning and risk reporting for Legal Services.
• Ensure departmental policies and procedures are Lexcel‑compliant, reviewed and embedded.
• Align business support resources with the Legal Services Service Plan.
• Champion Apprenticeships and workforce development.
• Support embedding of AI tools such as Co‑Counsel and Copilot.
• Identify opportunities for service improvement and cost efficiencies.

For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Andrew Lee, at andrew.lee@manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role. 

You will be an experienced operational or practice manager, ideally within a legal, regulatory or professional services environment, with strong experience of digital systems, quality standards, governance frameworks and service improvement. You will be collaborative, analytical and committed to public service values.

You will hold a Diploma in Management and Leadership (Level 5) or equivalent, and a Prince2 Practitioner or equivalent.

For a full list of skills, experience and technical requirements, please see the attached role profile.

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester Is Our Vision For a Fairer, Greener, And Healthier City – a Vision Shaped By The People Of Manchester. It Guides Everything We Do At The Council And Is Brought To Life Through The Our Manchester Behaviours

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits We Offer

• Generous holiday allowance – Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension – You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave – Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks – Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow – We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member – We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave – Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the “Accessibility tools” button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

Requirements

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, Offering

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.

What We Will Need From You If You’re Successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. 

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other Relevant Information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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