Practice Manager
Job description
Original text imported from Reed
JOB SUMMARY
The Practice Manager will lead, manage, and coordinate all aspects of organisational functionality — motivating and managing staff, optimising efficiency and financial performance, and ensuring the firm achieves its long-term strategic objectives within a safe and effective working environment.
This is a varied, hands-on role requiring a high-level generalist who can make the practice run smoothly, implement improvements, and contribute strategically to business growth and culture.
ABOUT NAYLORS GAVIN BLACK
Naylors Gavin Black LLP is a leading property consultancy firm with a team of 40 employees offering a comprehensive range of professional services across the commercial property sector. These services include commercial agency, professional advisory work, building surveying, and property management.
Naylors is a partner-led, independent commercial property consultancy that helps client unlock, protect and grow the value of their assets through expert, honest and personal service across the North East and beyond.
We’re an independent team of commercial property experts who combine experience, integrity and a friendly approach. We build strong relationships, give honest advice and deliver exceptional service to help property assets perform at their very best.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Practice Manager will have broad responsibility for operational management across the firm, including but not limited to:
- Supporting the strategic vision of the practice in partnership with the senior leadership team
- Overseeing day-to-day operations and driving continuous improvement
- Overseeing operations and compliance of the administration team, including delivery of Professional Development Reviews (PDRs)
- Leading on regulatory and compliance matters, including RICS Regulation, ISO 9001 Accreditation, AML and HMRC standards
- Liaising with external accountants on forecasting, debt management, and financial reporting
- Managing the financial elements of the organisation including budgets, accounts, cashflow, and cost control, working closely with partners to maximise efficiency and profitability
- Ensuring effective IT systems and communications infrastructure by liaising with external IT providers
- Overseeing marketing and PR activity, working with agencies to ensure consistent brand messaging and communications
- Managing insurances and renewals, ensuring compliance with professional and statutory obligations
- Providing strategic input at partner meetings and holding teams accountable for agreed actions and outcomes
- Attending Management and Partner meetings and preparing Partner meeting’s agenda and minutes
EXPERIENCE & PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Experience
- Proven experience as a Practice Manager or in a senior operational management role, ideally within a professional services environment (e.g. surveying, architecture, legal, or accounting)
- Demonstrated leadership capability with experience holding individuals and teams to account
- Financial management experience, including preparation and interpretation of management accounts, budgeting, and reporting
- Experience using SAGE or similar accounting software
- Comfortable with IT systems and working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders; proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, SharePoint)
- Experience managing relationships with external HR, IT, PR, and accounting providers
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; confident engaging with partners, clients, and suppliers
- Experience of marketing, PR, or business development support
- Comfortable contributing at board level, with the ability to challenge constructively and drive accountability
Desirable Experience
- Experience leading ISO accreditation or continuous improvement initiatives
- Understanding of personality profiling, team dynamics, and leadership development
- Experience in a regulated professional environment (RICS preferred)
- Strong HR knowledge, including performance management, employee relations, and learning & development; HR qualification / experience desirable
KEY SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
- Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving ability
- Proactive, organised, and able to manage multiple workstreams
- Flexible and adaptable with a hands-on approach
- Professional, confident, and credible at all levels
- Innovative and forward-thinking; able to drive change and improvement
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Ability to motivate teams, enhance morale, and foster a positive working culture
BENEFITS PACKAGE
- Competitive salary (negotiable for experience)
- 6% employer pension contribution (plus 5% employee minimum)
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Flexible working options
- Commitment to professional development and training opportunities
- Collaborative and supportive team environment
SUMMARY
This is a pivotal leadership role within Naylors Gavin Black, offering the opportunity to shape operations, influence strategic direction, and play a key part in the firm’s ongoing success. It will suit an experienced and motivated professional with a strong commercial focus and a passion for operational excellence.
VALUES
Trustworthy
Innovative
Accountable
Knowledgeable
Flexible
Key skills
AI-extracted from the job advert
Application advice
5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.
⭐ Highlight your RICS Regulation and ISO 9001 experience prominently as these are specifically mentioned compliance requirements
📊 Quantify your operational achievements: 'Managed 40-person team operations, improving efficiency by 25%'
🏢 Emphasise professional services experience, particularly in property, surveying, legal, or accounting sectors
💰 Showcase financial management skills including budget control, cashflow management, and debt recovery metrics
🤝 Demonstrate partnership-level strategic input and ability to hold teams accountable for outcomes
Suggested CV bullets
3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.
Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:
- •Implemented RICS Regulation compliance framework across 40-person property consultancy, achieving 100% regulatory adherence and passing annual audit
- •Led ISO 9001 accreditation process for professional services firm, streamlining operations and reducing compliance costs by £15,000 annually
- •Managed financial performance including budgets and cashflow for £2.8M turnover consultancy, improving profitability by 18% through cost control measures
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Dear Hiring Manager,
Naylors Gavin Black's reputation as Newcastle's leading independent property consultancy makes the Practice Manager position particularly appealing, especially given my extensive experience in RICS Regulation compliance and ISO 9001 implementation within professional services environments.
My background in operational management has equipped me with the financial oversight, regulatory compliance expertise, and strategic planning capabilities essential for leading a 40-person consultancy through continued growth whilst maintaining the highest professional standards.
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Interview questions
10 questions generated from this advert.
Technical
- ›How would you ensure compliance with RICS Regulation requirements across a 40-person property consultancy?
- ›Describe your experience implementing ISO 9001 quality management systems in professional services.
- ›How do you approach AML compliance monitoring in a commercial property environment?
- ›What financial reporting systems have you used for partner-led professional services firms?
- ›How would you structure Professional Development Reviews for a multi-disciplinary property team?
Behavioural
- ›Tell me about a time you had to hold a team accountable for underperformance.
- ›Describe a situation where you improved operational efficiency in a professional services firm.
- ›Give an example of how you've contributed strategically to business growth.
- ›Tell me about a challenging compliance issue you've managed and resolved.
- ›Describe how you've successfully managed relationships with external partners and suppliers.
STAR answer examples
Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.
Tell me about a time you had to hold a team accountable for underperformance.
Describe a situation where you improved operational efficiency in a professional services firm.