At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex projects, ensuring they deliver real business benefits and outcomes.
- Company: Join Osborne Clarke, a dynamic international legal practice with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous benefits, and a focus on health and wellbeing.
- Other info: Flexible working options available, with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact while mentoring and leading diverse project teams.
- Qualifications: Deep project management expertise and strong stakeholder management skills required.
Role profile
We are looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to join our Change & Transformation team on a 12 month fixed term contract. This role can be based out of our Bristol or London office, with some home working too. This is a key strategic role, responsible for leading a portfolio of complex, business‑critical projects and ensuring they deliver tangible outcomes and benefits aligned to Osborne Clarke’s strategic goals. You will also matrix-manage and mentor project managers, helping to develop delivery capability across the firm. You will report to the Programme Manager and work closely with the Head of Portfolio & Delivery, Head of Change Management, Director of Change & Transformation, Business Analysis Lead, PMO Manager and senior stakeholders across the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage complex projects end-to-end, ensuring delivery of clearly defined business benefits and outcomes.
- Define project scope, goals and deliverables with senior stakeholders, ensuring alignment to the wider business strategy.
- Shape and support business cases, working with business analysts and sponsors.
- Deliver to agreed timelines and budgets, managing and tracking project budgets and benefit profiles.
- Develop and manage integrated project plans, including interdependencies and critical paths.
- Provide high-quality reporting and insight for governance forums and senior stakeholders, enabling informed and timely decision‑making.
- Escalate and manage risks and issues proactively, maintaining appropriate controls.
- Lead and motivate project delivery teams, including third parties, creating clarity, accountability and momentum.
- Work closely with the Change Management team to plan and deliver activities that drive adoption, engagement and benefit realisation.
- Embed benefits management and outcomes‑focused delivery throughout the project lifecycle.
- Capture and share lessons learned, producing recommendations to improve future delivery.
- Support a culture of collaboration and clear communication across Business Services and the wider firm.
What We’re Looking For
- A strong outcomes focus – you are driven by delivering tangible, sustainable business benefits.
- Deep project management expertise, with a full understanding of the project lifecycle and practical experience of applying methodologies to deliver real‑world results.
- A clear appreciation of how project management, change management and benefits management must work together to deliver successful, sustainable change.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt your style to different audiences, including C‑suite stakeholders.
- Strong stakeholder and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence, challenge constructively and build trust.
- A persuasive, encouraging and motivating leadership style, with the ability to inspire and direct multi-disciplinary teams (including third parties) in a matrix environment.
Salary And Benefits
We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits. We value the health and wellbeing of our people and our wide range of initiatives and benefits support this.
Our recruitment process
Please note that although we include closing dates for our roles as a guide, we review and progress applications on a rolling basis. At Osborne Clarke we do not make any recruitment decisions using automated decision‑making. We are committed to providing an environment where you can perform to the best of your abilities at every stage of your recruitment experience and beyond. If you require any adjustments to be made during the application stage, interview process, or when working with us, please let us know in confidence.
About Us
Osborne Clarke is an international legal practice with over 330 Partners and more than 1,260 talented lawyers in 26 locations*. Our sector‑based approach enables us to help our clients tackle the issues they are facing today, and prepare for the ones that they will face tomorrow. Advising them both comprehensively and commercially. We love working closely with our clients on new deals, products and solutions which will transform their businesses, markets and even sectors. And our unique approachable culture is not an added extra, it's fundamental to our success.
At Osborne Clarke we value difference and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. We want everyone to feel that OC is a place where you can be yourself and belong, and our range of interest groups and diversity networks - not to mention our great teams - are a part of making that a reality.
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Senior Project Manager (12 month Fixed term contract) employer: Osborne Clarke
Osborne Clarke is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to professional growth, this role as Strategic Talent Development Lead provides the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the development of legal professionals in a supportive environment. The blend of office and home working ensures a healthy work-life balance, making it an attractive choice for those seeking rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Manager (12 month Fixed term contract)
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Osborne Clarke. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
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✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Osborne Clarke.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Osborne Clarke.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Manager (12 month Fixed term contract)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Osborne Clarke and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Osborne Clarke
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Osborne Clarke will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Osborne Clarke.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Osborne Clarke.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Osborne Clarke. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
