Supervisor, Legal Services Unit

CMS is seeking a Supervisor to join our Legal Services Unit (“LSU”) on a permanent basis, based in either our Sheffield or Manchester office. Applicants based in Manchester will be required to spend at least one day per week in our Sheffield office working alongside the wider team.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and support a dedicated team of Assistant Paralegals, Paralegals and Senior Paralegals who provide legal support to a major utilities client. The team manages a high-volume portfolio of real estate transactions involving the securing and management of land rights required for electricity infrastructure projects. This includes easements, wayleaves, leases, deeds of variation and other related property agreements, supporting matters from initial instruction through to completion.

As a key part of the delivery model, the Supervisor is responsible for the day-to-day management of the paralegal team, ensuring matters are progressed efficiently, service levels are met and work is delivered consistently to a high standard. The role combines people leadership, operational oversight, quality assurance and first-line legal supervision.

About the Role

In this role, you will oversee the day-to-day delivery of a dedicated utilities client workstream, managing a team of Assistant Paralegals, Paralegals and Senior Paralegals responsible for securing and managing land rights required for electricity infrastructure projects.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and allocating incoming instructions, balancing team capacity and capability to ensure efficient delivery and adherence to client service levels.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for the team, providing guidance on matter progression, resolving queries and supporting day-to-day delivery across a high-volume portfolio of transactions.
• Providing first-line legal supervision and quality control across a range of real estate matters, including easements, wayleaves, leases, deeds of variation and related property agreements.
• Supporting the team on title investigations, Land Registry requirements, drafting queries, restrictions, restrictive covenants, access issues and other common real estate matters, while identifying matters requiring escalation to lawyers.
• Reviewing work product and providing coaching and feedback to ensure consistently high standards, accuracy and client-ready output.
• Maintaining oversight of matter management systems, trackers and reporting tools, ensuring accurate records and timely progression of matters.
• Attending client meetings and service delivery calls, building strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Managing and developing team members, including onboarding, performance management, annual reviews, wellbeing support and ongoing development.
• Supporting the operational and financial management of the team, including utilisation monitoring, time recording compliance and WIP management.

About You

We will invest in your ongoing training and development to support your professional goals and help you thrive in your role from day one.

Our opportunities are open to all suitably qualified applicants. To be considered for this role, you should demonstrate:

• At least 2 years’ Real Estate experience, ideally gained within a commercial law firm or in-house legal environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of real estate transactions, particularly title review, easements, wayleaves, leases and Land Registry processes.
• A genuine interest in developing and supporting others and the ability to provide guidance, coaching and oversight. Previous supervisory experience is advantageous but not essential.
• Excellent attention to detail, with a thorough and quality-focused approach.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to work with colleagues at all levels, including Partners, Associates and clients.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong IT and matter management skills.
• An enthusiastic, proactive and collaborative approach.

What’s in it for you?

We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:

• Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)

• Flexible, hybrid working policy

• Generous bonus scheme

• Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)

• Holiday exchange scheme

• Private medical insurance

• Enhanced parental leave

• Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.

Please note that we have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.