At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead project management for complex legal matters and enhance client outcomes.
- Company: Join a top-tier law firm known for its collaborative culture and innovative projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while driving efficiency and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management within professional services and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
We are looking for a Legal Project Manager to join our Legal Project Management team in London. We’re looking for a Legal Project Manager to help shape and deliver client matters across Simmons’ Financial Markets & Real Estate (“FMR”) and Financial Services & Tax (“FST”) practice groups. The role will support FMR teams including Structured Finance & Derivatives, Banking, Debt Capital Markets and Real Estate, and FST teams including Financial Services Regulatory, Tax and Financial Services Funds.
As a fee-earning Legal Project Manager, you will partner with fee earners and clients to drive the successful delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder matters, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget and to a consistently high standard. You will lead the project management approach across the matter lifecycle, including scoping, planning, governance, financial management, stakeholder communication, risk management and continuous improvement. You will identify opportunities to improve matter delivery through innovative ways of working, technology-enabled solutions and the practical application of AI, helping teams work more efficiently and deliver enhanced client outcomes.
This is a primarily fee-earning role focused on owning the project management approach across complex matters and supporting fee earners in the effective delivery of legal services.
- Own the project management approach across assigned matters, from scoping and planning through to delivery, review and lessons learned.
- Define and manage scope, assumptions, deliverables, milestones, governance and reporting frameworks with matter teams and clients.
- Monitor matter financial performance, including WIP, budgets, forecasts and profitability, translating financial data into meaningful commercial insight for matter teams.
- Manage risks, issues, dependencies and scope changes, ensuring stakeholders understand impacts on delivery, timelines and cost.
- Coordinate matter resourcing requirements and delivery plans across teams, jurisdictions and workstreams.
- Maintain clear, timely and practical communication with clients, partners and matter teams throughout the matter lifecycle.
- Build strong relationships with partners, associates and clients, acting as a trusted adviser on project management and delivery best practice.
- Coach and support fee earners in the application of project management principles, tools and methodologies.
- Identify opportunities to improve matter delivery, efficiency and client outcomes through continuous improvement, innovation and the effective use of technology.
- Support the implementation and adoption of technology-enabled delivery solutions, including workflow automation, data visualisation tools and AI-supported processes where appropriate.
- Facilitate matter reviews and lessons learned, driving improvements in delivery quality, efficiency and client service.
- Collaborate with Finance, Marketing & Business Development and the wider Legal Operations team to support client opportunities and enhance the value delivered by the Legal Project Management function.
The successful candidate will have a direct impact on how the firm improves service quality, delivery discipline and efficiency across complex FMR and FST matters. The role will suit someone who understands law firm financials, enjoys working collaboratively with legal teams and clients, and can operate confidently in a fast-paced, high-performing environment.
Essential skills and experience:
- Experience project managing client-facing, complex matters in a professional services firm, leading international law firm or in-house legal function.
- Strong commercial awareness, including financial literacy and the ability to interpret WIP, budgets, forecasts and performance metrics.
- Excellent client-facing, stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to influence Partners, Associates and clients.
- Agile and adaptable, with the ability to prioritise effectively, deal with ambiguity and respond quickly in a fast-paced environment.
- Able to think outside the box, challenge assumptions constructively and identify practical ways to improve delivery, efficiency and client outcomes.
- Strong analytical and numeracy skills, with the ability to produce concise, timely and engaging management information.
- Consulting, coaching and advisory skills, including the ability to empathise with fee earners while giving clear project management advice.
- Strong facilitation and presentation skills.
- Competent with Microsoft Office software and interested in new and developing technology, including automation, dashboards and AI-enabled delivery.
- Able to work effectively as part of a diverse and inclusive team.
We are committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion within our firm and to ensuring equal employment opportunities. We believe that this commitment creates a vibrant and rewarding work environment.
Legal Project Manager employer: Simmons & Simmons LLP
Simmons & Simmons is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of its employees. With a strong focus on professional development through innovative learning opportunities and a commitment to diversity, employees are empowered to excel in their careers while contributing to meaningful projects. The London office stands out with its unique art collection and a vibrant social scene, making it an inspiring place to work.
