Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Project Manager to join our IT Team in London on a permanent basis.

The Project Manager has responsibility for the full lifecycle (including definition, documentation and delivery) of small to medium -scale, high-impact projects (or multiple projects simultaneously, which are usually greater than six months in duration, comprising of a small to medium team, with budgets up to of £500k and having significant strategic impact) undertaken within PPD.   

Role and responsibilities

Business / IT Strategy

• Develop a robust business case/strategy in conjunction with the business and Relationship Managers. 
• Ensure that appropriate levels of business support and approval are obtained.
• Ensure that the business focuses on developing project acceptance criteria and training, and updating any relevant processes and/or procedures, as required.
• Work with project stakeholders, IT peers/colleagues and suppliers to ensure that the most cost-effective, timely and appropriate IT solutions are developed, within agreed quality standards, to fulfil Allen & Overy's commercial and business requirements.
• Establish and maintain good relations with the business, Global IT peers and suppliers. Resolve conflicting priorities or issues that may arise.

Business change analysis

• With input from Business Analysts, ensure business cases quantify potential business benefits.
• Work with the business to ensure they consider the impact of, and are responsible for defining, training requirements, moreover manage the delivery of the training itself.
• Work with project sponsors to ensure the benefits identified in business cases have been updated throughout the project lifecycle, especially where changes have been made.
• Work with the business and Programme Lead, to ensure there are processes in place to track and measure business benefits (which were identified in the business case) following implementation of the project.

Projects & Programmes

• Accept responsibility for the definition, documentation and satisfactory completion of small to medium-scale projects (in terms of size and complexity).
• Implement, participate in and manage effective governance, as per the A&O project framework.
• Assume responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of end-to-end IT and Business Change projects.
• Provide effective leadership and direction to project teams.
• Prepare realistic project and quality plans, and track activities against those plans. Provide accurate reports to stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Work with Programme Leads and Analysts to ensure plans are up-to-date at all times. Similarly, ensure requests for resources are submitted in a timely fashion.
• Ensure projects are delivered to agreed quality assurance standards.
• Review project progress, and effectively manage any changing requirements, dependencies, milestones, risks, issues and/or priorities.
• Ensure that project deliverables are completed in a timely manner and to planned cost and resource budgets, securing approval from the appropriate persons/bodies.
• Ensure that projects are formally closed and subsequently reviewed. Record all lessons learned.

Analysis

• Oversee data and systems analysis to ensure systems deliver the functionality requested by the business.
• Advise on standards for systems and data analysis tools and techniques, ensuring correct application and compliance.
• Advise on appropriate documentation systems and formats in order to satisfy requirements. Organise reviews of draft material(s).
• Ensure that the results of evaluations are understood by system developers.
• Analyse business processes; identifying alternative solutions, assessing their feasibility, and recommending new approaches, where appropriate.

Design, Build & Implementation

• Select appropriate design standards, methods and tools, ensuring they are consistent with agreed enterprise solution architectures, moreover are effectively applied.
• Working with Technical Leads, ensure projects conform to architectural standards and their designs are approved by the Architectural Review Board (ARB).
• Ensure that any system design balances functionality, service quality and systems management requirements.
• Monitor the effectiveness of implementations, and ensure that, where necessary, appropriate recommendations for change are made.
• Review designs to ensure selection of appropriate technologies, efficient use of resources and integration of systems.

Testing

• Work with the business and IT to define quality and test criteria for both functional and non-functional specifications.
• Facilitate the production of test plans, and ensure appropriate resources are available for testing.
• Accept accountability for User Acceptance Testing (UAT), ensuring that acceptance criteria are defined by the business and that the delivered solution is approved by the business.
• Oversee the design of tests using agreed formal methodologies and techniques.

Risk Management, Quality, Methods & Tools

• Conduct risk assessments, identifying mitigating actions and providing recommendations to the appropriate project governance bodies.
• Utilise risk management tools, for example a RAID Log to monitor and manage risks and issues.
• Escalate any issues to the Programme Manager, or to the appropriate project governance body.
• Ensure projects follow the Firm’s project management methodologies, standards and processes.
• Advise on the application of appropriate quality and/or environmental management techniques.

Keys Skills and Experience

• Proven Project Management experience with a very good track record of delivering projects on time, to budget and to agreed quality standards.
• Knowledge and experience of project management methodologies.
• Strong experience in leading, managing and motivating small to medium-sized teams.
• Very good reporting, project planning and stakeholder management skills at all levels.
• Experience with Microsoft Project (or similar tools) to produce plans for programmes of work and individual projects.
• Ability to work under pressure, successfully prioritising work without compromising quality.
• Expert knowledge of the IT investment evaluation process, including cost/benefit analysis and estimating IT costs/resources.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft technologies and the application development lifecycle.
• Good knowledge of different software development methodologies e.g. waterfall, agile etc.
• Strong appreciation of the need for, and use of, the Development and Controlled Test Environments.
• Understanding of, and willingness to apply, the operating model, key deliverables and quality gates.
• Familiar with risk management techniques; risk identification, analysis, estimation and mitigation.
• Familiar with IT architecture, design, development methods, operational service & support.
• An enthusiasm and passion for technology. The ability to promote technology within the firm, using business-friendly language, seeking opportunities with tangible business benefits.
• Commercial acumen, including an understanding of the overall picture of IT service costs and how IT adds value to the business.
• Knowledge of the IT market and trends.

Desirable

• Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Degree qualified – preferred.
• Prince2 Certified Practitioner.
• Agile – SCRUM.
• Experience working within Rapid Application Development or Agile environments.
• Knowledge and experience of ITIL processes.

Additional information - External

It’s Time

Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. By turning our insight, technology and talent into ground-breaking solutions, we’ve earned a place at the forefront of our industry. Our lawyers are leaders in their field – and the same goes for our support teams. Ambitious, driven and open to fresh perspectives, we find innovative new ways to deliver our services and maintain our reputation for excellence, in all that we do.

The nature of law is changing and with that change brings unique opportunities. With our collaborative working culture, flexibility, and a commitment to your progress, we build rewarding careers. By joining our global team, you are supported by colleagues from around the world. If you’re ready for a new challenge, it’s time to seize the opportunity.