Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Senior Workplace Change Manager to join our Business Services department on a permanent basis.

Project background

The firm has signed a lease to move to a new London office at 2 Broadgate in 2026. Decisions about how much space to lease in the new building need to be made by the end of 2023. To inform these decisions, the firm has built an experimental workspace (the Future Space) in Bishops Square to trial new space models and experiment with adopting shared occupancy models that fully enables lawyers to do their job to their best ability and make efficient use of space.

The Future Space is located on the second floor of Bishops Square and will occupy approximately 10,000 square feet. The plan is to rotate teams (approximately 80-100 people) from each practice group through the space every four months and evaluate their experience. The data and feedback received from the Future Space will help inform space decisions in the new building. The first cohort are due to move into the space mid- July 2022.

A project that contributes to the Future Space is project E-Nable. Project E-Nable has been incepted with the aim of looking at how lawyers can adopt tools, technology and working practices which require less paper. Project E-Nable contributes to the success of the Future Space as it related to working practices that enable agile working.

Role purpose

The Senior Workplace Change Manager is responsible for successfully delivering the Future Space project and implementing change management strategies to ensure cohorts positively and quickly adopt different ways of working in a new workspace. 

The incumbent has overall responsibility for the full project management, change management lifecycle and overseeing the data capture and feedback of the Future Space project.

The Senior Workplace Change Manager acts as the key interface between the Future Space cohorts and partners on a rotational cycle and will therefore have to quickly establish relationships and trust amongst key stakeholders within the project.

In order to effectively deliver the project, the incumbent will also be responsible for overseeing a small project team and also required to manage a complex cross functional team. I.e. working with senior stakeholders, Business Services, IT, HR, key contacts within practice groups, internal comms and third party consultants.

Role and responsibilities

Project Management

• Own the overall project plan, resources, budgets, quality, risks & issues associated
• Manage critical path, dependencies and contingencies
• Resource management, overseeing the prioritisation of work whilst driving forward simultaneous activities
• Identify risks and issues and develop appropriate mitigation plans
• Act as an escalation point for any major incidents relating to the projects, drive resolution and lead communications to key stakeholders
• Lead project meetings with project stakeholders internally and externally- milestone progress, unblock issues, and leverage support/expertise
• Provide and present regular project updates and reports to invested and senior stakeholders
• Oversee the collection and analysis of project data and feedback to strategically inform project Barge

Change Management

• Lead and implement change management strategies to maximise behavioural adoption and minimise resistance
• Act as the main conduit between the Future Space project team and the cohorts
• Responsible for owning the relationship between the change sponsors (the lead change partner for each cohort) and acts as a trusted advisor and coach by helping the change sponsor fulfil their role within the project.
• Build strong relationships with the partners to empower them in their role of supporting the acceptance and adoption of behavioural change within the Future Space
• Participate in partner engagement activities to communicate project progress and approve key decisions for the cohort
• Lead the Change Champion workshops to facilitate successful implementation of change, increase buy-in and reduce resistance to change
• Oversee the bespoke communication plan for the group
• Work alongside practice group key contacts such as the COOs and Group Managers to develop appropriate and bespoke change programmes for each cohort
• Work alongside the project E-Nable/ IT training team to maximise alignment, ensure bespoke cohort change and training activities are delivered and coordinated
• Provide regular updates and reports to invested and senior stakeholders eg. Partners within the cohorts, change sponsor for each cohort, project steering committee
• Proactively manage the stakeholder map to identify and manage anticipated resistance
• Define and measure success metrics and monitor change progress

Leadership and Managerial responsibilities

• Overseeing and line management responsibility of a small project team- Workplace manager, workplace coordinator, moves support
• Manage a complex cross functional team and matrix environment. Ie. Working with senior stakeholders, Business Services, IT, HR, key contacts within departments, internal comms and third party consultants

Additional responsibilities

• To support the Business Services department with any future workplace related projects

Key requirements

• Extensive change management experience and with workplace organisational change efforts within professional services - preferably within law firms
• Strong project management experience with ability to implement appropriate methodologies e.g. waterfall, agile etc.
• Organised with a natural inclination for planning strategy and tactics
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to quickly establish and maintain strong relationships
• Ability to influence others and move toward a common vision or goal
• Flexible and adaptable; able to work in ambiguous situations
• Forward looking with a holistic approach
• Problem solving skills
• Acute business acumen and understanding of organisational issues and challenges
• Experience working in a deadline-sensitive and pressurised environment
• Experience with Microsoft Project (or similar tools) to produce plans for programmes of work and individual projects

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of Allen & Overy’s recruitment team who will work with you to provide any reasonable adjustments as required.

At Allen & Overy, we recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

Allen & Overy recognises the value of flexible working and embraces hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together. If you would like additional flexibility we will of course consider this in line with business needs.


Additional information - External

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 our reputation as a firm that leads the industry and opens up new possibilities in law. Our lawyers are leaders in their field – and the same goes for our support teams. Ambitious, driven and open to fresh perspectives, we find 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. We are defined by our consistent commitment to creating a collaborative and supportive working culture and investing in your progress. We’re committed to supporting a culture that drives diversity and inclusion. Every day, we’re working hard to create an environment where you feel you can bring your authentic self to work. To be comfortable and confident to be who you are in the workplace. To feel like you belong. We offer rewarding careers that are built around your strengths and designed to ensure you can achieve your personal and professional ambitions. Joining our global team, you’ll discover what collaborating on a global scale really looks like; you’ll learn how to help drive change; and you’ll be at the heart of an organisation that’s defining the future of law. If you’re ready to find a place to thrive: It’s Time.