Legal Project Manager

Department: Legal Project Management

Duration: Permanent

Location: London/Milton Keynes/Edinburgh/Glasgow/Hybrid

Reports to: Head of LPM

Reference no: 9302

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‑coordinate 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.

Required experience, skills, and attributes:

• 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.
• 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.

Firm Profile: Across more than 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organisation by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose‑driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you.

Inclusion and Diversity: We are committed to building an inclusive culture here at Dentons where our people can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. As well as being the right thing to do, it makes good business sense too. A richness of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives helps us best serve our clients and the communities in which we operate.

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from everyone including of any age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, neurodiversity, disability, or with parental or caring responsibilities. We also offer flexible working hours. During the application process, all applicants have the opportunity to tell us about any adjustments or support they require so they can perform at their best. Any information you share with us during the application process is treated in confidence.

If you are interested in applying for this position, we welcome direct applications via our careers page, but if you have any questions beforehand, please email recruitment.matters@dentons.com. Enquiries only please – applications will not be accepted via email. Please note that we will not accept unsolicited CVs sent to the business, nor will we accept any associated terms of business.