Project & Program Management, Manager – Legal Operations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois.

📋 Description

• Oversee the Client Legal Services Legal Operations project and portfolio management function.

• Coordinate, prioritize, govern, and execute operational and technology initiatives.

• Supervise staff and/or frontline managers accountable for project management, program coordination, portfolio intake, delivery governance, stakeholder communication, dependency management, and executive-level reporting.

• Implement portfolio governance routines and assess demand, capacity, strategic value, operational impact, risk, dependencies, and timing.

• Collaborate with leaders and business partners to establish objectives, outcomes, success criteria, resource requirements, and decision points.

• Create portfolio visualizations, prioritization summaries, scorecards, status updates, and materials suitable for executives.

• Recognize portfolio risks, resource limitations, overlapping initiatives, and dependency issues; suggest trade-offs and escalation paths.

• Manage teams executing projects and programs ranging from low to high complexity.

• Direct strategic initiatives characterized by significant business complexity, organizational breadth, interdependencies, stakeholder visibility, and operational risk.

• Propel execution through meticulous planning, milestone tracking, decision documentation, issue resolution, dependency management, and stakeholder alignment.

• Allocate projects based on experience, capabilities, capacity, and development objectives; track progress and mentor team members.

• Lead project, program, and portfolio steering committee meetings.

• Relay status, risks, decisions, dependencies, and recommendations to leadership and business partners.

• Cultivate interdepartmental relationships and enhance project management and communication practices.

• Design and refine templates, intake forms, delivery artifacts, reporting routines, dashboards, governance calendars, and escalation procedures.

• Collaborate with Business Analysts, Data & Analytics, Operational Support, Technology Adoption, Training, and Process Redesign teams.

• Initiate process improvements for the project and portfolio management team and the broader Legal Operations function.

• Select, lead, guide, develop, and inspire team members.

• Establish performance expectations, coach on project management methodologies, and nurture direct reports and project teams.

• Exhibit thought leadership and promote a culture of ownership, clarity, collaboration, accountability, and realization of business value.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in project management, program management, portfolio management, legal operations, business operations, technology delivery, or related fields.

• Leadership capabilities.

• Experience in leading project teams.

• People management skills.

• Proficiency in process improvements.

• Experience in project implementations.

• Leadership in project management.

• Understanding of Project Management Life Cycle (PMLC).

• Experience with project portfolio management.

• Skill in stakeholder alignment.

• Experience in stakeholder communications.

• Team development expertise.

• Training experience.

• Successful completion of a background investigation.

• Generally, no employment-based visa sponsorship is provided.

• A dedicated, private workspace free from distractions when working from home.

• An appropriate desk and seating arrangement when working from home.

• Access to reliable internet with minimum speeds of 50 MB download and 5 MB upload.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive technology setup, including a laptop, monitors, headset, keyboard, and mouse.

• Monthly connectivity reimbursement to assist with internet costs.

• Remote work arrangement.

• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

• Meaningful impact and support for causes that are important to employees.