Legal Project Manager

Legal Project Manager

Location: London hybrid

Salary: some flexibility depending on experience

The role

The role of a Legal Project Manager is to support the practice in the management of large, complex matters or deals. The size and scale of the matter must warrant the level of support that is suggested below. The Legal Project Manager should take ownership for and jointly deliver the following in conjunction with the Practice.

Key responsibilities and challenges

• At the outset of the matter, work with the Matter Manager to agree what level of support is required and engage with the matter team to understand client requirements.
• Use of matter management tools, templates and best practices from the Matter Management Toolkit
• Work with Matter Manager to ensure core matter controls are in place such as Engagement Terms, Working Parties List, matter plan etc.
• Assist decision making about the format of information when being shared with the clients
• Use the plan and resource model for the matter to help determine an upfront price/budget for the matter taking into consideration fee deals and profitability
• Support in managing matter commercials such as:
  • Creating a budget for the matter which can be shared with the client (frequency to be determined by the client)
  • Setting up the segments to reflect the plan or any requirements from the client, this should smooth the billing process further down the line
  • Putting in place a process for reporting on WIP and debt monitoring
  • Highlighting potential issues around profitability, recovery and payment
  • Provide input and structures for status update meetings both internally and with the client
  • Understand the reporting requirements of the team determining how the reports can be produced in the most efficient manner. Possible reports could include Individual work allocation reports, over allocation report and task reports
  • Resource profiling to determine correct gearing for the deal
  • Introduce structured communication channels - weekly calls with agenda, distribution lists, organisation charts
  • Suggest deal debriefs and post matter client engagement is undertaken

Training / role development

• Seek out and attend training and development opportunities under guidance of line manager
• Set and work towards stretch development objectives

Project Management good practice

• Work with other Legal Project Managers within the firm to share good practice, discuss any challenges or issues and innovate producing new tools and ways of working
• Attend a Microsoft Project training course to understand how the tool is used in the market as well as at Linklaters
• Gain an understanding of the training that is being delivered to our Managing Associates and Associates around matter management to ensure we are providing a consistent message

Marketing of the service

• Provide the best client service possible, delivering value and delivering on time are key to ensuring that our lawyers and our clients speak positively about the service
• Gather feedback from Partners and Matter Managers who could act as champions for the service provided.
• Work to identify large, complex matters that could benefit from project management support and approach the Partner or Matter Manager accordingly
• This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required

Skills/ Experience/ Qualifications Required

Character:

• Confident and sensitive style
• Good listener with strong action orientation skills. Consultative, engaging style, strong on facilitation
• Adaptable, pragmatic, highly motivated, self-starter with a can-do attitude
• Diplomatic team player with the ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels from across the firm and to explain and justify solutions in clear non-technical language
• Ability to earn respect of fellow team members and the practice, willing to assist colleagues (inclusive of out of normal office hours) to meet deadlines
• Demonstrates strong commitment to maintaining high levels of customer service
• Performs well under pressure. Assertive when necessary
• Motivated and enthusiastic, and willing to learn new skills / take on responsibility

Education / Qualification:
Essential:

• 2:1 Degree (or equivalent)
• There is a maths test as part of the process so you will need strong maths

Desirable:

• Prince II Practitioner, APMP or other project management qualification
• Process improvement or change management qualification

Languages:

Essential - English

Desirable - Any additional business language

Practical experience:
Experience of delivering successful projects
Change management experience
Desirable: Experience of using Microsoft Project and other Project Management tools

Office skills:

• Strong working skills of MS office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power point etc.)
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Strong influencing ability
• Attention to detail
• Able to prioritise quickly, often in busy periods, in a calm manner
• Good office administration skills
• Confident presenter / trainer
• Quality assurance and customer service experience
• Desirable: MS Project