Front of House Receptionist (1957)

Front of House Receptionist (1957)

Deka Chambers

Salary: £Competitive

Deka Chambers is a financially successful and highly regarded group of 113 self-employed barristers, practising across civil, crime, and family law. Supported by a dedicated team of 23 staff employed through their service company, they combine the strengths of the traditional chambers model with a modern, dynamic approach.

Innovative and adaptable, Deka Chambers was among the first to move beyond the confines of the Inns of Court, embracing technology, flexible working, and hot desking to support their members evolving needs. In June 2020, they moved into a bespoke, well-located building, providing a contemporary and inspiring working environment.

They expect the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity from their members, rewarding loyalty and promoting based on merit. For those seeking a supportive, forward-looking, and successful chambers, Deka Chambers offers the environment and opportunity to thrive.

Person Reporting To: Director of Operations

With 10 fantastic conference rooms and an outdoor terrace, a key part of this role will be providing 5-star service to clients and visitors attending meetings and events. You will be used to working in a demanding but supportive corporate environment and have excellent organisation skills as well as a professional and welcoming manner.

Key objective of role:

To ensure that Deka Chambers operates smoothly by providing a first-rate receptionist service to assist both their barristers and clients. Be the embodiment of the public face of Chambers, where excellence, empathy and maturity in handling clients and visitors is the norm. Provide housekeeping and incidental catering duties and ensure that all conference facilities are prepared prior to meetings and events. Demonstrate emotional intelligence, judgement, discretion, and confidentiality in all matters. They will be approachable, well-presented and have very good communication, and organisational skills.

Key reception duties:

• To answer the telephone and refer calls as necessary, being the initial point of telephone contact within Chambers. Wherever possible to pass on calls to barristers or clerks, otherwise forwarding to voicemail or taking messages as appropriate
• To greet visitors as they arrive in Chambers and to deliver clients to conferences
• Liaise with clerks and admin/marketing team regarding conference rooms and bookings
• Ensuring all mail and deliveries are dealt with promptly and distrusted accordingly
• To check and action e-mails sent to the reception email as appropriate
• To make lunch reservations and present to meetings as required
• Provide a range of refreshments to participants in meetings
• To distribute and to monitor supplies of consumables in all three kitchens
• Order and replenish kitchen stock
• Oversee stocks of wine and beer
• Order and maintain stationery stock
• To check all 3 kitchens/breakout rooms on a daily basis to ensure that these are maintained in a tidy fashion and to load dishwashers as and when necessary, throughout the day

Event and conference services (conference is the term for any meeting between a barrister and their client)

• To prepare and circulate the daily conference planner in order to plan for the following days conferences;
• To set up our 10 conference rooms with refreshments and/or lunches as required
• Ensure appropriate food hygiene regulations are applied and adhered to (external training provided & funded)
• To ensure that all conference rooms are left tidy between use for conferences and when a conference is finished
• To assist in the preparation of conference rooms for functions/events and meetings, in conjunction with the Marketing coordinator and clerks; and receive seminar attendees and assist with any preparation where necessary
• To keep reception area tidy and client-friendly throughout the day
• To maintain a good working relationship with the building reception personnel

Technology

After appropriate training and in the absence of the dedicated IT person

• Be capable of connecting and reconnecting telephones, tables & ancillary equipment
• Establish video conferences using Zoom and Teams
• Trouble shoot and assist users with basic technology issues

Person Specification

• Be polite, friendly and well presented
• Have excellent communication skills – both written and oral
• Have excellent interpersonal skills
• Confident and pleasant phone manners
• Good organisational skills and ability to keep space orderly
• Can Do Attitude
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently
• Be able to handle confidential information discreetly
• IT skills: Microsoft Suite, Outlook, Zoom.

Location

5 Norwich Street, London, EC4A 1DR.

The role requires a full-time onsite presence. There is no scope for hybrid or remote working.

Additional benefits

• Enhanced pension contributions (5%)
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Private Healthcare
• Life insurance (4x salary)
• Additional holiday at Christmas

All applicants are requested to complete an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion form, available here.

For all enquiries please contact:

ABC Chambers Solutions LLP – 0203 890 8190 – enquiries@abcllp.com

To apply for this role please e-mail a comprehensive CV and covering letter to one of the team or contact them directly for a confidential discussion:

Sarah Willshee– sarah@abcllp.com| Rachael Argent – rachael@abcllp.com

All third-party applications will be forwarded to ABC Chambers Solutions.

ABC are committed to equality and to fostering diversity in our profession.

We will treat everyone equally and irrespective of their age, background, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Please advise us in advance of the interview if you have any access needs (including those arising from neurodiversity) and/or require reasonable adjustments for the interview so that we can make appropriate arrangements.