Business Operations

Receptionist

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Our Property & Workplace team is at the heart of the Shanghai office experience. We create a welcoming, professional and well-run environment for our clients, visitors and colleagues, while supporting the day-to-day services that enable the office to operate effectively. The team works closely across the business and supports client reception and hospitality, meeting and event services, switchboard, mail and courier services, printing, facilities, records and health and safety. It is a highly visible, service-led function where attention to detail, teamwork and a proactive mindset make a genuine difference every day.

Reporting to the Property & Workplace Manager, the Receptionist is a key ambassador for our Shanghai office and helps shape the first impression of DLA Piper. You will deliver a warm, polished and responsive front-of-house service, anticipate the needs of clients and colleagues, and help ensure meetings, visits and office activities run smoothly. This varied role is well suited to someone who enjoys working with people, takes pride in high service standards and remains calm, organised and solutions-focused in a busy professional environment.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Create a warm and professional welcome for clients, visitors and colleagues, responding promptly to enquiries and ensuring a positive arrival experience
• Manage visitor arrivals, including notifying hosts, coordinating access and maintaining accurate visitor and security records
• Oversee meeting room bookings and daily readiness, ensuring rooms are clean, organised, appropriately set up and equipped before use
• Coordinate refreshments, catering and hospitality requirements for meetings, client visits, seminars, training sessions and internal events
• Answer and route incoming telephone calls professionally, accurately and efficiently
• Work closely with colleagues and service providers to support the smooth delivery of meetings, events and day-to-day front-of-house operations
• Arrange courier services and manage incoming and outgoing mail, parcels and deliveries
• Assist clients and visitors with local transport arrangements, printing, photocopying and other reasonable business support requests
• Prepare and circulate the daily staff movement report and maintain the office telephone directory and other front-of-house information
• Manage staff and visitor access cards, maintaining accurate issue, return and tracking records
• Identify and resolve routine service issues proactively, escalating facilities, technology or security matters when appropriate
• Provide flexible support for ad hoc administrative and office activities as required

About you

• Previous reception, front-of-house, hospitality or customer service experience, ideally within a law firm, professional services firm, corporate office or premium hospitality environment
• Strong spoken and written communication skills in Mandarin and English, with confidence engaging with clients, visitors and colleagues at all levels
• A polished, approachable and service-oriented manner, with a genuine interest in creating an excellent client and colleague experience
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise several requests while maintaining accuracy and composure
• Proactive problem-solving skills, sound judgement and close attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of tasks and collaborate effectively as part of a wider team
• Confidence using Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel; experience with meeting room, visitor management or switchboard systems would be advantageous
• Reliability and discretion when handling visitor information, access records and confidential matters
• Flexibility to support changing business needs and occasional office, meeting or event requirements

About us

We'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.

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Requesting Adjustments

At DLA Piper, we aim to make meaningful progress and build an inclusive culture where anyone affected by disability, neurodiversity or a long-term health condition has an equitable and accessible chance of success. If you think you may need adjustments or additional support to enable you to participate in our recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team and we will be happy to support you.

Agile Working

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

Pre-Engagement Screening

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability, and references from previous employers. 

Our hiring approach

Our hiring approach enables us to learn about the professional and person you are, and gives you the opportunity to learn about us. Your recruitment experience can differ depending on the type of role you are interviewing for. You will always meet your direct Line Manager for your role, as well as peers and close collaborators for the position. For some of our roles we may also use assessment tools, practical exercises, and panel presentations. Your Recruitment Business Partner will inform you of the recruitment process at the start of any recruitment process, but please let us know if you have any questions prior to making an application.

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