Senior Billing Coordinator

We are seeking a Senior Billing Coordinator to join the UK Billing team.The role of the Senior Billing Coordinator will be to support Partners and Fee Earners with delivery of billing activities. As part of our global Finance team, the Senior Billing Coordinator owns the critical element of the service-to-cash process and one which is essential for the business in hitting revenue and cash targets.As a Senior Billing Coordinator, you will engage with Fee Earners at every level, as well as acting as the bridge between DLA Piper and the client when required to ensure invoices are raised and issues with invoices are speedily resolved. You will manage all quality control aspects of the end-to-end billing process, matching Partner and client expectations to our own internal policies which allow us to manage risk. The role will work closely with our Legal Administration stakeholders who are in a critical, client facing and Partner support position.As a senior, you may be expected to deputise for the Team Leader in their absence and to play an active role in supporting the billing Coordinators with escalations and expertise on complex bills whilst recognising and supporting their learning requirements. You will also assist management in undertaking ad hoc tasks/reporting as required.Main duties and responsibilitiesWIP management and billing covering two main areas:Delivery of billing fulfilment:Proactive calculation of proposed billing amounts and necessary edits/ write-offs for Partner approvalDraft and facilitate approval of invoices and submit to clients/ PartnersManage complex bill reconciliations and calculations (including supplier bills, splitting bills, discounts, disbursement allocation etc)Manage advance bills end-to-end procedure and ensure smooth client to office transfersManage and be a primary point of contact for all billing-related enquiries, client queries, credit notes (end-to-end), and escalate complex issues to PartnersCoordinate with the GSC team or other DLA Piper offices for e-bills, multi-payer matters and ad-hoc activitiesAssist the Team Leader, Billing Manager and Head of Finance with ad-hoc tasksCollaborate with Legal Administration teams to provide cohesive support to Partners and their clients; ad-hoc tasks, client reporting, etcInitiate matter master data management updates and charge-out rates changesMaintain client protocols and billing instructions to support the billing process and to assist colleagues during holiday periodsWIP monitoring, maintenance, and control:Facilitate WIP review, draft bill aging and draft bill review sessions with PartnersFacilitate and process WIP write offs where irrecoverable (control approval matrix) as required and agreed with the Partner, following the approval matrixEnsure WIP comments against matters are recorded promptlyEnsure WIP is being recorded/billed in accordance with client protocolsProduce ad-hoc reports and analysis on specific clients to identify lock up issues and to provide Partners with sufficient information to collaborate with their clients to reduce WIP daysManagement and supporting team development:Assist Billing Coordinators with VAT and Solicitors' Accounts Rules queries. Senior Billing Coordinators will be expected to have a more advanced knowledge of VAT and local regulations (training will be provided where necessary)Assisting with the day-to-day personnel management of the team members where necessary when the Team leader is absentYou are also expected to support on day-to-day Service to Cash activities:Reviewing matter set up reports and validation of matter set up details according to newly defined processes / checklist (‘Quality Gate’)Consulting with Legal Administration / Partners to capture missing matter informationQualitative reporting on the accuracy of information captured at matter set up with Billing ManagersFlag any suspicious activity by clients (subject to local regulations) through the necessary channelsSupport with the development of new team members as requiredEnsure compliance with firm's standards and guidelines (billing policies for multipayors, IOB, etc)Collaborate with Collectors on credit collection activities on an ad-hoc basisEnsure compliance with DLA Piper’s Credit policy through accurate and prompt delivery of bills and credit notesAbout youStrong diligence and accuracy in handling client data, calculations, and invoice amendmentsDemonstrate commitment to firm guidelines when faced with internal or external pressuresAnalytical mindset and experience in running billing reports, analysing data, and taking appropriate actionsExcellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with multiple DLA Piper stakeholdersProblem-solving abilities and experience in addressing billing and VAT queries promptly and effectivelyTeamwork and collaboration skills, with experience collaborating closely with colleagues across different departmentsInitiative-taking mindset and experience in seeking opportunities for process improvements and applying them to enhance efficiencyAdaptability to changes in processes, systems, and work requirements, with prior experience in adapting to such changesPrevious experience in coordinating and managing team members will be an advantageAbility to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple responsibilitiesKnowledge of financial systems and software used for billing and invoicing is a plus, such as SAP S/4HANA, Concur, Service Now, E-Billing platforms and MS Ee Suite2+ years of accounting or billing experience, preferably in a professional services or legal environmentGood knowledge of local VAT standards and guidelines preferred (Training will be provided) Prior experience in ensuring accuracy and compliance in billing activitiesAbout UsWe're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all.   If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.