Strategic Programs & Operations Senior Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to serve as the strategic business partner for one of our Legal Executive Committee (LEC) members to develop long-term strategy, guide transformation, oversee strategic projects and support operational needs to meet an ever-increasing demand for legal support. This includes:

Engaging with LEC member and other senior stakeholders in their team to understand their objectives and to help provide strategic solutions that meet their needs.

Providing information, analysis and strategic guidance to team leadership to enable strategic decisions on key priorities and team investments.

Steering the prioritization, development and implementation of the team’s project portfolio and programs to meet their strategic goals.

Championing innovation and a drive to efficiency.

Supporting the operational effectiveness of the team through constantly improving the value management information and data, through business planning and through the coordination of operational activity.

Leading on high priority strategic initiatives that require close integration with Legal leadership, and other cross-functional teams.

Reports to:

Strategic Projects and Operations Lead within Legal Operations.

Relationships:

Legal Executive Committee (LEC) members.

Legal Functional Leads (e.g., Contracting, Contract Management, Compliance, Government Relations etc.) Legal MDs

Legal Operations: Other LOELT members, particularly the leads for Change Management and Legal Technology.

Other Corporate Functions: Legal Marketing & Communications (M&C); Legal HR; Legal Finance.

Qualifications And Experience Required

The following experience is required:

Minimum of eight years working experience in fast-paced project-based roles, be that consulting to external clients and/or working on strategic internal initiatives.

Proven record of supporting senior client or internal stakeholders in variety of scoping, planning, execution and monitoring activities.

Experience of working across multiple geographic borders and time zones.

Demonstrable ability to define a programmatic approach and identify the key factors and constraints; knowledge and competence in identifying risks, issues and dependencies.

Fluency in Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Experience in managing more junior resources; demonstrable stewardship mindset for developing and progressing people.

The following experience is preferred:

Experience as Lead on programme of at least 10 FTE / $4m budget and / or experience on programmes typically greater than 20 FTE / $8m budget.

Breadth of programmatic experience, including delivering successful projects across external-facing, operations and technology units.

Demonstrable ability to set up and run programmatic services, including defining the approach, structure and operations of a high-performing PMO.

Knowledge of operating model, talent strategy, learning and development, change management, communications and culture frameworks.

The following experience would be helpful:

Regular user of commonly used project planning and scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project, Primavera etc.

Exposure to data analytics, including modelling and visualization.

Exposure to innovation management.

Achievement or enroute to achieving Professional project management qualification such as PRINCE or PMP at Practitioner level.

Skills Required

Strong evaluation and critical thinking skills: able to identify the real issue, and to anticipate requirements and potential consequences.

Logical reasoning: able to demonstrate rationale behind any recommendations and achieve consensus around proposed outcomes.

Outstanding spoken and written communication skills: able to deal confidently, tactfully and appropriately with people of different disciplines and at all levels of the organisation.

Strong influencing and negotiation skills: able to build strong relationships with multiple global stakeholders quickly via virtual tools; listen, understand and respond to any concerns.

Prioritization skills: Comfortable working within a large and complex environment with multiple stakeholders and interest groups.

Task management: Professional and organized approach to delivery. Able to work under pressure and to tight timescales, with minimal supervision.

Personal Qualities Required

Strategic thinking and innovation: Able to think strategically but also willing and able to roll their sleeves up and do whatever is needed to achieve key business objectives, diving into detail where necessary.

Influence and communication: Able to be highly credible and persuasive, influencing key stakeholders and effecting change with or without direct reporting authority.

Collaboration: Able to work well with others, to build strong relationships, to share knowledge and expertise to foster a sense of trust.

Drive: Commitment to getting things done, including self-sufficiency and the lack of need for detailed direction.

Flexibility: Ability to manage diary and working pattern to enable more interactions with global stakeholders.

Resilience: Able to manage emotions and take steps to manage workplace frustrations constructively; remaining calm and positive under pressure.