Office Manager

JOB TITLE:

Office Manager - Singapore

LOCATION:

Singapore

REPORTS TO:

Director of Operations for ME & APAC

WORK HOURS FOR POSITION:

Monday to Friday, with core working hours from 9:00AM to 6:00 PM, including a one-hour lunch break. The role includes one day of remote work per week.

This is an exempt position, meaning the employee is not eligible for overtime compensation.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

King & Spalding, a leading global law firm, is seeking a highly hands‑on Office Manager for its Singapore office. This role is critical to the effective operation of the office and provides senior leadership to ensure the business functions as a high‑performing, engaged, and well‑governed and aligned with regional and global objectives. The role has a strong emphasis on people leadership, senior stakeholder engagement, office strategy, and risk management, with day‑to‑day operational delivery supported by direct reports and shared service teams.

The successful candidate will be the primary point of contact for all operational aspects of the Singapore office, including facilities management, and will work closely with Partners and key stakeholders. The role will drive office effectiveness, foster a positive culture, and support long‑term planning in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate strong leadership capability and sound operational judgement, and who are able to operate effectively both independently and in collaboration with senior stakeholders in a fast‑paced, high‑performing environment. The ideal candidate will bring a strategic mindset, strong people leadership, and operational oversight experience, with the ability to drive outcomes with clarity, accuracy, and attention to detail.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

People Leadership & Culture

. Act as a trusted advisor to Partners and senior stakeholders on office leadership, people strategy, and operational risk.

. Provide strong leadership and strategic oversight of office support functions through direct reports (e.g. Administrative Manager), ensuring effective delivery and alignment with business objectives.

. Build and sustain a high‑performance, inclusive, and engaged office culture by setting clear expectations, standards, and accountability.

. Lead on complex people matters, including conflict resolution, performance management, and sensitive employee relations issues, applying sound judgement and discretion.

. Coach, develop, and empower office support leaders and teams, driving capability building, engagement, and succession planning.

. Day to day management for the daily operations of the Client Service and Office Services teams.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

. Ensure the Singapore office operates in full compliance with local regulatory requirements, firm policies, and global governance standards.

. Act as the primary point of accountability for operational and people‑related risk within the office.

. Partner closely with HR, Legal, Finance, and Compliance teams to proactively identify, manage, and mitigate risk, and to embed best practice across all areas of office operations.

. Acts as a member of the Singapore Office Crisis Team and Emergency Response Team.

. Keeps updated with K&S IT applications through workshops, webinars, and online training.

Stakeholder & Regional Collaboration

. Build and maintain strong relationships with regional and global Business Services leaders to ensure aligned, consistent, and high‑quality support across the firm.

. Represent the Singapore office in regional forums and cross‑office initiatives, contributing to broader firm strategy and best‑practice sharing.

. Act as the escalation point for complex, high‑impact, or sensitive issues affecting the office, exercising sound judgement and decisive leadership.

. Maintain strategic oversight of office operations, facilities, and services to ensure effectiveness, resilience, and alignment with business objectives.

. Ensure appropriate governance structures, processes, and capabilities are in place and operating effectively to support a high‑performing office.

Office Operations & Facilities Management

. Provide strategic oversight of office facilities and services, including third‑party suppliers and service providers, ensuring consistent, high‑quality delivery aligned with business needs.

. Oversee procurement governance, vendor performance, and cost control related to office supplies and equipment, ensuring appropriate controls and approvals are in place.

. Ensure the office environment is safe, secure, and well maintained, with accountability for facilities standards, maintenance arrangements, and effective engagement with landlords and building management.

Human Resources Compliance, Finance & IT (Facilitation)

. Act as first point for regulatory, employment, and compliance‑related matters, facilitating engagement with HR and Compliance experts as required.

. Partner with HR to support the delivery of onboarding, orientation, and development initiatives, ensuring a consistent and high‑quality employee experience.

. Maintain oversight of employment compliance requirements, ensuring personnel records and practices align with local labour laws and firm standards.

. Ensure appropriate health, safety, and wellbeing frameworks are in place and operating effectively, including oversight of incident management and compliance reporting.

. Act as the key liaison with Technology teams to ensure office technology, systems, and infrastructure effectively support business needs.

. Lead and oversee the annual office budgeting process, ensuring alignment with business priorities and financial discipline.

. Provide oversight of accounts payable activities, ensuring appropriate governance, controls, and timely processing.

. Oversee HR operational processes, including new hire and termination paperwork, onboarding arrangements, and orientation logistics.

. Ensure the preparation and ongoing maintenance of orientation manuals and folders.

. Oversee and approve weekly time edits and approvals for Client Services and Office Services.

. Works with the Administrative Manger to coordinate with local professional services firm on employment and dependent pass applications, renewals, terminations, address and passport updates, and other immigration matters.

. Maintains leave of absence records and lawyer vacation balances using Aderant, compiling unbillable leave data for statutory reporting.

. Prepares visa letters, invitation letters, employment salary letters, and reference letters upon request.

KEY SKILLS & EXPEREINCE

. Proven experience in an Office Manager or equivalent leadership role within a professional services or similarly complex environment from international law firm only.

. Experience leading a multi‑disciplinary office support function (e.g., administration, facilities, vendor management), with appropriate delegation across direct reports and shared services.

. Demonstrated experience working closely with senior leadership/Partners, with the confidence and maturity to navigate sensitive issues and competing priorities.

. Familiarity with operating in regulated environments, and working with HR, Finance, Legal, and Compliance teams to support consistent processes and controls.

. Proactively identify opportunities to streamline processes, enhance operational effectiveness, and improve the overall functioning of the office.

. Demonstrate ownership of personal development, with the ability to adapt to evolving priorities and business needs.

. Communicate effectively and confidently with senior stakeholders, providing clear guidance and escalation where required. Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and client service at all times.

. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including clear drafting and confident communication with internal and external stakeholders.

. Strong leadership and decision‑making skills, with experience setting priorities and delivering outcomes through others.

. Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously, maintaining focus and sound judgement in a fast‑paced environment.

. Proactive, adaptable, and solutions‑oriented, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability for outcomes.

. Commercially minded, with working knowledge of budget and vendor management.

. Strong systems and reporting capability, including proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and document management.

. Experience providing high‑quality executive support (e.g., calendar coordination, meeting preparation, correspondence management) is an advantage.

BENEFITS:

We are proud of our remarkably cohesive culture, which includes over 2,400 lawyers and business professionals across 24 offices worldwide. We aim to attract and develop the very best talent to join our team.

King & Spalding offers a competitive total compensation package, including a discretionary annual bonus based on individual merit and performance.