Regional Manager - Middle East (based in Dubai)

The Firm

HFW is an international law firm with a strong global presence, including four offices in the Middle East in Dubai, Riyadh, Kuwait and Beirut (approximately 85 staff in total) and a reputation for providing an excellent service to an impressive list of domestic and international clients.  With over 500 lawyers and other fee earners worldwide, we advise clients on the legal issues which businesses face in relation to all aspects of international commerce.

The Role

Reporting to the Middle East Office Heads and Global Chief Operating Officer, the role will act as the interface with the firm's global functions and be familiar with all aspects of the operation of the firm in the region.  The main function of the Regional Manager is, therefore, to act as the eyes and ears of the COO locally and to ensure that local services are delivered to the satisfaction of the Office Heads, partners and global business services functions.  The Regional Manager will be expected to be familiar with all operational aspects of a professional services firm, including Finance, Marketing and Business Development, HR and IT, but will not be expected to have day-to-day involvement in managing these functions.  The Regional Manager will also be expected to deliver projects locally, including office moves, hiring of teams and any extraordinary activity.  This role will be expected to visit the firm's offices in the region and report as appropriate to local Office Heads and the COO as regards business service functions. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate and contribute to the regional business planning process, ensuring appropriate business services resources are available to support the plan;
• Monitor operational performance against business services budgets and work with Office Heads and local business services leaders to address budgeting issues;
• Represent the region on the firm's Operations Board;
• While individual business service function heads report primarily to their relevant line managers (global business service leads), the Regional Manager is responsible for ensuring that the overall standard of business services delivery meets the expectations of the partners in the region.  This will include:

• Liaising with the line managers (global business service leads) and, where necessary, taking joint action to ensure the functions in the region are operating at the expected levels of quality and efficiency;
• Travelling regularly between the offices in the region to evaluate and improve operational standards;
• Providing guidance on operational best practice in the region without being involved in the day-to-day minutiae of the individual business services functions;
• Taking responsibility for the successful management of issues and escalations related to operational service;

• Develop operational best practice in the region and work with the Global Chief Operating Officer to assess the opportunity for rolling out the results into the global network, including:

• Identifying; scoping; gaining the relevant approvals; and delivering business improvement projects in the region;

• Ensure successful delivery of global projects in the region;
• Work with the Office Heads and Global Chief Operating Officer to develop proposals for significant regional projects, such as team and individual lateral hires; office openings; and office moves.  Lead the operational team that delivers these projects once approved, including negotiating with local suppliers;
• Support the Office Heads in the development and delivery of initiatives designed to promote collaborative working among the partners and associates.
• In conjunction with the firm's COLP, ensure plans are swiftly executed to deal with any compliance issues.  Take responsibility for local risk management, including business continuity, as well as brand/reputation management.

Key Skills & Experience Required

1. A minimum of 8 years' experience working within an international professional services environment;
2. Previous management experience of operational functions including Finance, Tax, IT, HR, Marketing & BD, Risk/Compliance, Learning & Development, Knowledge Management, and Facilities;
3. Strong project management skills and an experienced change agent;
4. Excellent communications and influencing skills, with the ability to establish credibility quickly and become a trusted advisor;
5. Enthusiasm, resilience and the ability to manage conflict and facilitate successful outcomes;
6. Demonstrable commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion;
7. Experienced and successful people manager, with a commitment to the development of the team and able to inspire others;
8. Arabic language skills useful.

Additional Information

Please note that this job description is not contractual.  It will be reviewed periodically and may be amended or altered to meet the needs of the firm.

Due to the volume of applications, only those candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted.