Job Description

Group / Team

Corporate Services

Working pattern

Full Time

The opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Legal Operations function as a Legal Project Manager that you will be working closely with the transactional practices. The Legal Project Manager, Transactions will be responsible for:

• Supporting the efficient staffing and management of complex, multi-jurisdictional, sophisticated client engagements with a primary focus on service delivery and client experience
• Assisting with the integration of Legal Project Management (LPM) techniques into the Corporate practice group (and other practice groups from time to time) through the utilisation of the firm's technology, proper deployment and management of its resources and development of project plans that drive value for clients and profitability for the firm
• Preparation of process maps and facilitation of mapping sessions where appropriate; data collection, analysis and management; and implementation of transaction management process improvements and controls
• Preparation of project plans; scopes of work; stakeholder and communication plans; and budgets
• Management of project change, scope creep, risk, and retrospectives or lessons learned sessions
• Providing input into the selection, configuration and implementation of LPM systems solutions to support lawyers' needs and assisting with the development of LPM "dashboards" and reports for partners and clients
• Participation in client pitches and RfPs as required to describe and design the firm's LPM approach and principles.

Skills, experience and qualifications

• Candidates either:

• have an undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in a global law firm or other established professional services organisation managing the delivery of complex professional service mandates; or
• are qualified lawyers with a proven track record of managing complex non-contentious transactions, end to end
• Demonstrated experience of leading and managing complex projects and large delivery teams
• Comprehensive understanding of the typical products, legal process, financial framework (including remuneration models and performance indicators) of law firms
• Excellent skills across Microsoft Office 365 suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Visio and Word as a minimum) and an ability to rapidly pick up new systems
• Experience working with a combination of other legal technologies (eg, collaboration software; automation and AI).
• Experience with a Financial Practice Management System (e.g. Elite; Aderant Expert)
• Formal project management qualification an advantage but not essential (eg, PRINCE2)
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team and produce high quality written content
• High-level interpersonal skills to facilitate communication in person, by email and telephone with professionalism, courtesy and diplomacy
• Strong technical, organisational and facilitation skills and attention to detail

Group / Team description

Our Corporate services group is comprised of a number of teams from the firm's central management functions, which support key activities both within the firm and in the external market. They coordinate common initiatives, improve communication and drive greater efficiency across our operations. These teams are Legal Operations, Management Services, Pro bono and citizenship, Internal/external communications and the Programme Management Office (PMO).

Legal operations

In response to the needs of clients, we have combined specialist skills that provide a range of critical business support services for our clients and their in-house lawyers, notably legal project management, pricing, research, innovation and contract automation services. This single integrated team, called Legal Operations, is a 'single place' where our clients and partners can go to access these services. As well as aligning to the needs of our clients, we aim to provide clients with greater certainty on commercial outcomes in matters (price, budget) and greater efficiency in delivery (time, cost and scope). Additionally, we bring innovation, automation and process improvement in our service to clients, both to drive efficiency and build opportunities to transform the client's business and operating environment. Our goal is to make Legal Operations easy to access for our clients and partners, give them a consistently positive experience, and provide exceptional service that meets and anticipates their needs.

Management services

This team is formed of a number of partners and consultants who provide leadership in developing our management and strategic direction, and in spearheading key strategic initiatives. Within this team, you'll be supported by our strategy and planning team, which provides analysis to inform decision-making, develop business plans and project manage agreed initiatives and strategic reviews.

Pro bono and citizenship

Within this team, you'll focus on:

• providing pro bono legal services to members of the public through legal and community centres, and sponsoring legal clinics in association with law faculties
• sustainable development, working with non-governmental organisations, supporting rule of law initiatives, and training on behalf of local bar associations in African and South East Asian countries
• building community through financial and in-kind support to community partners with a focus on those organisations that promote access to justice and opportunity; and
• reducing environmental impact, including targets for reducing energy and carbon, food waste, recycling and encouraging more environmentally friendly travel options

Internal/external communications

These teams are responsible globally for advising on and supporting our communications activities in all media, both internally and externally, and including the development of our communications strategy and new communications initiatives.

Programme Management Office (PMO)

The PMO manages an extensive portfolio of global firm-wide projects, including new systems and major transformation programmes. Services offered include programme/project management, change management and business analysis.

Role type

Business Services

Contract type

Permanent

Diversity & Inclusion

At Herbert Smith Freehills you will be part of a diverse, innovative culture where high performance, client focus and highly engaged people are our differentiator. People at our firm come from a range of backgrounds and bring a wide variety of experiences and perspectives to their work with us. We strive to ensure that our inclusive environment means you feel valued and able to perform at your best by being your authentic self at work. We know that our future success not only depends on being innovative and progressive in the changing legal market but, most importantly, on our people feeling highly engaged in meaningful work.

We understand that you have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to create a working environment based on mutual trust and respect, in which you can perform at your best whilst maintaining sustainable balance across your life.

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Herbert Smith Freehills