Operational Excellence Process Engineer

Mishcon de Reya has initiated a comprehensive programme of work to optimise its process, technology and systems architecture. This effort involved mapping the core process stack, developing standard operating procedures and identifying target areas for improvement. The firm is now looking for an Operational Excellence Process Engineer to drive process excellence across priority functional areas.

The Operational Excellence Process Engineer reports into the Operational Excellence Architect and collaborates with Process Operators (both onshore and offshore), Tech, Fee Earners and other relevant departments to ensure optimal performance across all processes within the assigned business area. The role holder will be in frequent contact with the relevant functional chief as key sponsor of process improvement initiatives.

Role Overview

The Operational Excellence Process Engineer is responsible for the end-to-end development, improvement, and governance of processes within an assigned business function (e.g. Finance, People, Legal Operations etc.). Acting as both a process owner and business analyst, this role ensures that business needs are effectively translated into efficient, controlled, and value-driven operational processes. The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement process or technology changes, ensuring close alignment with key stakeholders and organisational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Process Ownership: Own the lifecycle of key business processes from design through to execution, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
• Requirements Gathering: Engage with stakeholders to elicit, analyse, and document functional and non-functional requirements, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of business needs.
• Process Mapping: Develop and maintain detailed process maps, workflows, and supporting documentation to clearly illustrate current and future state processes.
• Process Analysis and Improvement: Evaluate existing processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement improvements using data-driven methodologies and industry best practices.
• Data Analysis: Collect, analyse, and interpret process-related data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for optimisation.
• Solution Evaluation: Assess proposed solutions, considering business impact, feasibility, and alignment with organisational strategy.
• Testing and Validation: Coordinate and conduct testing of process or system changes to validate effectiveness and ensure requirements are met.
• Documentation: Maintain thorough and up-to-date process documentation, including procedures, work instructions, and change logs.
• Risk Analysis: Proactively identify process risks, assess their impact, and develop mitigation strategies to ensure robust controls are in place.
• Implementation and Change Management: Lead the implementation of process changes and support change management initiatives to drive adoption and sustainable improvement.
• Act as operational Subject Matter Expert for assigned function(s), providing expert guidance on process best practices, controls, and improvements.
• Work closely with cross-functional operational teams and fee earners to ensure seamless process or technology implementation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to ensure process changes are aligned with business objectives and stakeholder needs.
• Facilitate workshops, meetings, and training sessions to foster engagement and knowledge sharing across teams.

Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience in process engineering, business analysis, or operational excellence, ideally within professional services industry.
• Experience implementing technology solutions or business transformation initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to map, analyse, and design business processes effectively.
• Workshop Leadership: Must be confident leading workshops independently, engaging stakeholders, and driving outcomes without extensive support.
• Strong understanding of process governance and change control.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder skills.
• Ability to influence and drive change across multiple teams.
• Proficient in process mapping tools and Microsoft Office applications.
• Solid understanding of risk management and change management principles.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Strong Continuous Improvement project delivery track record, including quantifiable benefits realisation.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills and focus on process optimisation.
• Adaptable to changing business needs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma or other process improvement methodologies is beneficial but not mandatory.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

About The Mishcon de Reya Group

The Mishcon de Reya Group is an independent, international professional services business with law at its heart, employing over 1400 people with over 650 lawyers. It includes the law firm Mishcon de Reya LLP and a collection of leading consultancy businesses that complement the firm's legal services. Mishcon de Reya LLP is based in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore and Hong Kong (through its association with Karas So LLP). The firm services an international community of clients and provides advice in situations where the constraints of geography often do not apply. The work the firm undertakes is cross-border, multi-jurisdictional and complex, centred around three increasingly entwined and connected sectors: the Innovation Economy, Private Wealth and Capital, and Real Estate. The firm is known as a disputes powerhouse with a formidable capacity firmwide for dispute resolution. The Mishcon de Reya Group includes consultancy businesses MDR Discover, MDR Mayfair (in London, Singapore and Dubai), MDR ONE, and MDRi (in Hong Kong). The Group also includes MDR Lab, which invests in the most promising early stage legaltech companies as well as the Mishcon Academy, its in-house place of learning and platform for thought leadership. In 2024, the Group announced its first strategic acquisition in the alternative legal services market, flexible legal resourcing business Flex Legal. It also acquired a majority stake in Somos, a global group actions management business. We strive to create a fully diverse and inclusive workplace where all our people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We are proud of our agile working culture and are always happy to talk flexible working.