Document Specialist

Role summary/purpose of job

This role presents an opportunity to join our Document Specialist team in the firm’s Global Centre based in Manchester. The team delivers high quality, efficient and comprehensive document production service to our fee earners (lawyers) globally, with a focus on excellent customer service and continuous improvement.

Working alongside a team of document production specialists and creative specialists, you will utilise your advanced skills to support fast, accurate and enhanced document production through effective use of the appropriate tools and innovative technology adopted by the firm.

Location Overview: Manchester

The Freshfields Global Centre provides both business and legal services to the firm. Our services are delivered in a way which supports the global nature of our firm and our clients, enables our fee earners to deliver exceptional service to our clients and to do that in a way which is efficient and effective.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

Document production

Produce all work to the highest standards of accuracy within strict deadlines, including- Creating, formatting and updating a wide range of complex documents, reports, spreadsheets and presentations, adhering to the house-style and utilising the appropriate tools to ensure efficiency and accuracy.- Transcribing audio files accurately and efficiently demonstrating solid typing skills- Converting documents across various packages into house-style, using firm templates, styles and schemes.- Troubleshooting textual, graphic and printing issues across all packages.- Accurately interpreting complex fee earner briefs and producing documents within the required timescales, seeking clarification when necessary.- Supporting creative presentation requests in PowerPoint using template guidelines where appropriate.- Proofreading and quality checking all work to ensure that completed documents are delivered accurately and to an appropriately high standard. Ensuring all edits have been inserted and make logical and grammatical sense.- Adhering to working practices for the function.- Ensuring own technical skills are maintained and updated, including developing extensive knowledge of the firm’s global document templates.- Troubleshooting document technical issues including using clean-up software such as DocXTool and performs “health checks” on documents as required.-
- Assisting in non-document production administration tasks, by exception, when workloads are high across the whole team/service.- Demonstrating a proactive approach to ensure fee earners and internal clients’ requirements are met, liaising with other functions to support fee earner requirements where necessary eg Freshfields Hub, Design function.- Supporting workflow processes including booking work and negotiating deadlines as required and work collaboratively with workflow co-ordinator roles across locations.

Team support and development- Proactively providing support to other Document Specialists across the global network to ensure that peaks and troughs of demand are managed.- Promoting effective work practices.- Supporting team quality check processes as well as checking own work.

Key requirements

Must have previous document production experience in a legal environment or advanced Microsoft Word skills in a document production role in other sectors. Must possess the confidence and motivation to challenge and improve the way that work is done.

Technical Skills:
- Advanced level of skill in all MS Office packages- Proven experience of leading project teams- Proven problem solving and trouble shooting skills- Flexible and proactive approach- Committed to personal development

Personal skills and attributes:
- Proven ability to work well in teams and with stakeholders at every level- Proven resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure- Strong communication skills both written and oral- An inherent drive for professional and personal development- A positive and enthusiastic attitude- Proven independence and maturity in decision making- Excellent customer service skills- Experience of working in an environment with a focus on continuous improvement;- Foreign language speakers are desirable

Freshfields Overview

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a major international law firm, providing business law advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it most matters, wherever in the world that may be. The Firm has over 2,400 lawyers in 28 offices around the world, providing a comprehensive service to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments.

Our people make our firm - we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver be