Legal Project Manager

Job overview

As a Legal Project Manager, you will have an impact on how we deliver high-end complex legal advice to our largest clients.

You will work on client matters as a core part of the client team recording time against those matters. You will help enhance the client experience and add value through efficient project management. The three objectives of our LPM programme are to:

- contribute to profit
- strengthen client relationships and;
- implement best practice.

You will track workstreams, work with clients, monitor resourcing, manage budgets, and integrate Best Delivery solutions into our largest and most complex projects. You will bring new ideas and expertise to an evolving role within a rapidly changing legal market.

Who you will work with

You will work on a range of projects (legal matters), working across multiple clients and sectors on up to five project teams at any one time. These multi-disciplinary teams will be made up of trainees, lawyers, partners, secretaries, business development, billing and others who form part of a client matter team.

You will need to establish strong relationships with a range of stakeholders, including partners, lawyers, General Managers, Business Professionals and other members of the regional Best Delivery programme. You will be able to develop sustainable relationships, understanding stakeholder needs, identifying ways to address these needs and demonstrating influencing skills to deliver business objectives.

You will collaborate with other Legal Project Management colleagues around our global network. You will also work closely with other members of the wider Best Delivery community, including Legal Technology Advisors, Best Delivery Advisors, Delivery Centres and Continuous Improvement professionals.

What you will be responsible for

You will support our partners by delivering outstanding project management on our largest, most complex legal matters.

What you will do
- You will assist with and attend client pitches, providing a compelling explanation of how the Firm will effectively manage the project to time, cost and quality.
- You will assist with the preparation of all project initiation documentation, such as the preparation of scope, resourcing and budget proposals for relevant matters or workstreams and then track progress against those proposals.
- You will positively influence the individuals with whom you work to change and adapt their ways of working.
- You will clearly explain theoretical concepts to senior stakeholders, including clients, and be comfortable amending your delivery approach and style as needed.
- You will plan effectively over the short, medium and long term and execute against those plans, such as documenting minutes, actions and tracking workstreams.
- Throughout each project you will:

- Identify risks, such as conflicting deadlines or a lack of appropriate skills and propose solutions to mitigate the identified risks.
- Continually monitor for issues and identify pragmatic solutions as needed.
- Monitor accruals and manage the project against agreed budgets, including scope change.
- Be responsible for introducing new ways of working to improve service delivery.
- You will take regular feedback and direction from your colleagues and adjust your style as necessary.
- You will deliver presentations / facilitate workshops and form part of the client pitch and relationship teams as needed.
- You will work directly with clients, positively representing Clifford Chance and work from client sites as necessary.
- You will build strong client relationships through your activities on client projects and / or client relationship teams.

Your career experience so far

You will have a background in project management, ideally gained within a professional services or complex matrix environment.

A qualification or industry recognised certification in project or programme management is desirable, but is not essential, as we are happy to support team members with these qualifications.

Collaboration, influencing and internal networking are all key skills to make an impact as a Legal Project Manager within the Firm.

How we will support you

As a Firm, we make a significant investment in training and supporting members of the team through their career at the Firm.

We offer opportunities to access externally recognised training qualifications, including Lean Six Sigma, Prince2 and training in change management and technology. In addition to this, the nature of the work and interaction with the team will drive continuous on-the-job learning.

About the Firm

Whatever your area of expertise, you will find a range of career opportunities at Clifford Chance. And wherever you’re heading, Clifford Chance is where you can be true to your ambitions.

Our Firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures and languages. In a world where commercial success increasingly relies on globalisation, we offer clients a truly international perspect