Legal Project Manager in Manchester

We’re looking for a dynamic, self-motivated Legal Project Manager to join our high-performing Legal Project Management (LPM) team within Law&. This role is designed for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, complex environment, brings clarity to chaos, and has a passion for driving smarter legal service delivery.

You’ll work across a wide range of practice groups supporting the end-to-end delivery of legal matters. The focus is to bring order, pace, and transparency to how we deliver legal services — increasing efficiency, enabling innovation, and enhancing the client experience.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping how one of the world’s leading law firms delivers legal work — and to do it in a collaborative, forward-thinking team that values curiosity, resilience, and impact.

Main duties and responsibilities

• End-to-end project delivery: Lead the planning, execution, and closure of complex legal matters - ensuring scope, timelines, resources, and budgets are well managed and aligned with client expectations
• Client engagement: Serve as a trusted liaison between legal teams and clients, providing transparency through regular reporting, proactive communication, and risk management
• Championing innovation: Identify and embed smarter ways of working, challenge the status quo, and implement scalable solutions that improve how legal services are delivered across the firm
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work seamlessly across teams, including Finance, Knowledge, Technology, and Business Development, to deliver holistic, client-centric outcomes
• Change agent: Promote the value of legal project management across the firm, helping teams adopt tools, processes, and mindsets that drive consistency, efficiency, and accountability
• Knowledge and capability building: Mentor legal teams and junior project professionals, supporting capability uplift in project delivery and encouraging a continuous improvement culture
• Data and financial insight: Support pricing strategies, budget development, and fee tracking, leveraging data to drive better decision-making and project performance

About you

• Proven project leadership: At least 2+ years’ experience delivering projects in a legal, professional services, or client-focused environment. Law firm experience preferred
• Resilience and adaptability: Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, juggle multiple projects, and stay calm under pressure
• Problem-solving skills: Demonstrated ability to identify issues, develop solutions, and implement them effectively
• Exceptional organisation: Highly structured and organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to bring discipline and clarity to complex matters
• Strong communicator: Excellent verbal and written communication skills — confident dealing with senior stakeholders and translating technical detail into plain English
• Tech and tool fluency: Advanced skills in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word are essential. Comfortable working with LPM or workflow tools, dashboards, and reporting platforms
• Commercial mindset: Financially literate, with strong numerical and analytical skills. Able to support budgeting, fee tracking, and profitability analysis
• Collaborative partner: Skilled at building relationships across disciplines and geographies, with a proactive and client-first approach to working with others
• Continuous improver: Curious and committed to driving better ways of working, embracing change and helping others to do the same
• Qualifications: Formal project management training (e.g., Prince2, PMP, or Agile) is desirable but not essential. More important is a hands-on, pragmatic approach to getting things done

About us

We\'re a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.

At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.

Leeds, United Kingdom
Manchester, United Kingdom

Requesting Adjustments

At DLA Piper, we aim to make meaningful progress and build an inclusive culture where anyone affected by disability, neurodiversity or a long-term health condition has an equitable and accessible chance of success. If you think you may need adjustments or additional support to enable you to participate in our recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team and we will be happy to support you.

Agile Working

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

Pre-Engagement Screening

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability, and references from previous employers.

Our hiring approach

Our hiring approach enables us to learn about the professional and person you are, and gives you the opportunity to learn about us. Your recruitment experience can differ depending on the type of role you are interviewing for. You will always meet your direct Line Manager for your role, as well as peers and close collaborators for the position. For some of our roles we may also use assessment tools, practical exercises, and panel presentations. Your Recruitment Business Partner will inform you of the recruitment process at the start of any recruitment process, but please let us know if you have any questions prior to making an application.

We’re redefining what an international law firm can be. With a unique global network and an unparalleled range of expertise, this is where you’ll work on the cases that shape the world and will define your career.

Staying in touch with like-minded people is important to us.Our Talent Community provides unique access to our firm so you can discover why we are a different kind of law firm.

We pride ourselves on the extraordinary impact we make beyond the borders of traditional law. That’s only possible because of the skills our business professionals bring and the environment we create to let them thrive. See where your skills could take you.