Legal Project Manager

Location:
Edinburgh / Glasgow / London / Milton Keynes

Reports to:
Head of LPM

Reference number: 10442

The Role

Over the last decade Legal Project Management (LPM) has transformed from a fringe speciality to a core requirement of legal work. As the efficiencies of Artificial Intelligence are realised in the marketplace, legal work will require more individuals dedicated to the management and co-ordination of client objectives. Increasingly our clients are approaching us to provide innovative solutions to help them improve efficiency, reduce risk, and gain strategic advantages.

Accordingly, we have an opportunity for a Legal Project Manager to join our Legal Project Management (LPM) team, reporting to the Head of LPM. This role will support our offices across the UK, Ireland and Middle East.

Our LPM Team work alongside our legal delivery teams in a client facing role. You will work closely with Partners, matter teams and clients to manage and co-ordinate the delivery of legal work to solve client's complex legal challenges. Our goal is to focus on all aspects of delivery, process improvement and innovation, providing clients with an exceptional level of service throughout the full matter lifecycle.

We are looking for a high performing candidate from either a legal or professional services consulting background who has experience in delivering complex projects and/or implementing change.

Responsibilities

You will provide high quality project management and consulting support and will work closely with Partners and Associates across the various practice groups within Dentons. You will provide our legal teams and clients with expert knowledge on the use of LPM tools and techniques. Specifically, you will:

• Work closely with senior stakeholders across the full lifecycle of matters to define scope, design governance structures, build and set up budgets, conduct planning, monitor progress and financials, conduct risk management, manage resources, and work allocation, control scope change and complete reporting.
• Communicate with Partners, matter teams and clients as required.
• Analyse planned vs actual performance at a profitability and margin level and identify opportunities for improvements.
• Understand process, technology, people, and data challenges and identify and implement improvements into working practices.
• Collaborate with other departments involved in the delivery process; notably Business Development, Innovation, Finance, IT (Information Technology) & Practice Development.
• Provide matter teams with LPM knowledge and support with tools, templates, and legal tech systems.
• Contribute to the continuous development and improvement of LPM methodologies and processes.
• Build strong working relationships with stakeholders and identify opportunities to grow LPM within the Firm.
• Evaluate existing contract management processes, systems, and strategies to identify areas for improvement.
• Assist in the design or improvement of contract management processes to increase efficiency, reduce risk, and improve compliance.

Required experience, skills, and attributes

• A strong academic record, preferably of graduate level.
• Substantial project / process management experience gained within a financial or professional services environment and / or Legal Project Management experience gained within a leading law firm.
• Highly organised and proactive with the ability to prioritise and manage tasks in a fast paced and dynamic environment.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong budgeting and numeracy skills.
• Effective communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to confidently interact at all levels.
• Ability to think logically and pragmatically whilst being willing to challenge and question assumptions and propose alternative solutions to problems.
• Competent with MS Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio) and receptive to the use of modern technology.