Legal Project Manager

The role:

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.

We are looking for someone who is agile, commercially minded and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-performing environment, with experience implementing technology solutions and the confidence to challenge conventional approaches and think creatively about how legal work is delivered.

What will you do:

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.

What we are looking for:

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.

Career Level:

The career level assigned to this role is level 4. The career level framework provides a formal structure for the business services functions at the firm. The framework, which ranges from level 1 to level 7, clearly defines the responsibilities, skills and competencies required at each level.

Here at Simmons & Simmons:

At Simmons, we are proud of our collaborative, open and non-hierarchical culture, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity and the wellbeing of our people is paramount. Our dynamic minds work as one integrated team, partnering with leading organisations on inspirational and thought-provoking projects that matter. From day one, irrespective of job title, qualification or background, everyone’s voice is heard, and you are encouraged to have an enquiring mind and share ideas that drive the firm forward. Through innovative learning and development opportunities, you will have a platform to excel, exceed your career ambitions, and achieve things you never thought possible.

Some key information: 

• We offer a competitive package including bonuses dependant on role/level, private medical insurance and pension contribution.

• Our global skills academy provides our people, regardless of their role and location, with excellent learning opportunities (including live workshops, podcasts, short videos and practical learning experiences).

• We have adopted a hybrid working approach with a requirement for a minimum of three days in the office with flexibility dependant on role/team/client demands.

• We are proud to rank as a Times Top 50 Employer for Gender Equality, a Stonewall Top Global Employer, and a Top 75 Employer for Social Mobility.

• We have a range of social and sports committees, summer and winter parties and monthly get togethers.

• We have a range of diversity networks to connect people and celebrate our differences which is integral to our inclusive culture.

• All UK offices have their own artwork collections – including Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin pieces in the London office. We have a long-standing history in supporting the art community especially up-and-coming artists.

• We have recently introduced a Strategic Advisory Council which is a mix of associates and business services who will propose strategic initiatives that align with our firm's mission and support the delivery of our business plan, shaping the future of our next-generation law firm.

• Our in-house generative AI tool, Percy, won the ‘Innovation in Automation and AI Tools’ category at the 2024 FT Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards. This achievement highlights our commitment to technological innovation and client service.

• We have been commended in The Times Best Law Firms 2026 across three categories: construction, employment, and intellectual property. Our profile is highly positive, highlighting our sector specialisms and notable case and transactional work.

Equal opportunities:

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. We are therefore committed to: 

• Upholding equal opportunities, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity, marital status, or pregnancy, including maternity and paternity. This commitment extends to addressing any instances of perceived or associative discrimination and harassment. We also ensure fair treatment during recruitment and selection processes for those who are serving or have served in the armed forces, along with their families. 

• Accommodating requests for flexible working arrangements whenever possible. We encourage you to discuss your needs with us if this is something you require. 

• Making our roles accessible to individuals with diverse abilities. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can meet your needs. 

• We offer a range of employee networks to support our colleagues. More information about these networks can be found in the D&I Information booklet that candidates are sent when invited to interview.

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. We are looking for individuals who are passionate and eager to learn and grow with us. Your unique experiences and perspectives could be a great addition to our team.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this position, please contact the Recruitment Team. To apply for the role, click on the link at the top of the page or visit our careers page for more details.