Legal Operations & Project Manager

Are you looking to work with a team that contributes to working smarter through process improvements and change initiatives?

The Legal Operations & Project Management team works with both the lawyers and core business services to help the business manage matters more effectively (from pricing and scoping through to evaluation). The role is also focused on identifying and delivering necessary changes to working practices and utilising technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The ability to drive sustainable change through facilitation, training and promoting benefits is an important part of the value of the team.

About the role

Typical responsibilities will include:
* Scoping and budgeting of the matter (impact on different fee arrangements)
* Planning the matter, including looking for and the different resources options.
* Reporting: Financial and/or progress for teams and clients aligned to any specific requirements
* Highlighting potential issues around progress, profitability and billing
* Facilitating structured communications within the delivery team
* Facilitating lessons learned
* Generating LPM tools and resources
* Facilitating and delivering training across the firm and to clients
* Promote and encourage engagement with the LOPM team and our proposition
* Facilitate process improvement discussions to identify issues and solutions
When working with clients directly on other initiatives and projects, the typical responsibilities include:
* Attending meetings with clients / partners / senior business support people to discuss business challenges / problems.
* Providing consultancy support and recommendations on possible delivery/implementation solutions
* Promote/sell the value of LPM and Operational services/products to different stakeholders
* Ensure effective governance, processes and defined outputs are in place

It is important to note that this proposed role will aim to cover the CEE region and offices, and that the approach and requirements may vary to specific needs, however the strategy and the direction of the team will help manage the delivery.

About you

We are looking for candidates with a background in professional services or the legal sector, with an understanding of a partnership culture and in particular:
* Has a management / business consultancy approach
* Successfully delivered business change projects, from initiation to completion
* Strong ability to build credible relationships at all levels of seniority
* Strong ability to translate objectives into tangible outputs to meet specific needs
* Ability to manage different stakeholder types confidently and diplomatically
* Ability to confidently sell value, benefits and results to improve buy–in/engagement across the firm and for client opportunities
* Extensive project management experience and a proven understanding for behavioural considerations involved
* Strong facilitation skills and a confident presenter
* Ability to confidently advise, consult and influence
* Self – motivated and solution orientated
* Comfortable with 'unknowns' and change
* Able to prioritise quickly, often in busy periods, in a calm manner
* Performs well under pressure. Assertive when necessary
* Personable and willing to learn new skills
* Invested team player and confident to collaborate
* Excellent attention to detail
* Flexible in traveling across the region and to the UK periodically
* Multi–lingual will be advantageous

About us

CMS is an international law firm with leading businesses throughout Europe, The Middle East, Asia and beyond. We create sustainable and rewarding futures for our clients, our people and our communities.

Ranked as the world's 5th largest law firm by lawyer headcount and 6th largest in the UK by revenue, CMS works with clients in over 40 countries from 70+ offices worldwide.

CMS is well equipped to help our clients face the future with confidence. We are driven by technology and readily embrace the possibilities it opens up for developing new and better ways of delivering legal services. And we recruit, value and nurture top talent.

Equal opportunities

CMS is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment, to not only adhere to current employment law, but to harness the full potential of our staff and ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect. To meet this aim CMS endeavours to treat all staff and job applicants equally, on the basis of merit and the ability to do their job. Everybody will be treated equally regardless of race, colour, age, religion or belief, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital or civil partner status, ethnic or national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, and pregnancy or maternity status ("Protected Characteristics"). Click here to see our Equal Opportunities statement.

All job applicants will be treated fairly and judged solely on their merits. If you have a disability which is likely to affect you adversely within the application process, please let us know (as soon as you feel comfortable to do so) so that we can consider whether we can make any adjustments to the process that will allow you to be considered fairly for the role.

How to apply

If you are interested please apply online.

Please note that CMS have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.