Manager, Legal Operations Advisory

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is seeking an experienced Legal Operations Advisor to lead client engagements in LOA across the full lifecycle, guiding senior in-house leaders on operating models and AI-enabled delivery.

You will drive scoping, planning and delivery, facilitate workshops, and translate complex concepts into clear insights while strengthening client relationships and contributing to business development. Offices are Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in law or related field and at least five years' experience in legal operations and transformation.
• Proven track record managing consultative projects across the full lifecycle and experience scoping, planning and managing complex projects.
• Deep knowledge across operating model transformation, functional strategy, process enhancement, legal technology, change management and design-thinking methodologies.
• Strong data handling and analytical skills, with excellent data visualisation and storytelling capability (PowerPoint, Excel, Power BI, Visio).
• Solid understanding of the legal AI landscape.
• Exceptional communication skills - able to build client relationships, present to senior stakeholders and translate complex ideas for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Advise senior leaders in corporate legal functions across all aspects of the legal operating model, with up-to-date knowledge of industry best practice and AI.
• Act as day-to-day engagement lead, driving project scoping, planning and delivery of high-quality client deliverables.
• Facilitate workshops, presentations and co-creation sessions, translating complex concepts into clear, accessible insights.
• Proactively develop client-facing solutions, pursue research projects and monitor trends, with a particular focus on AI.
• Build and strengthen relationships with internal and external clients, aligning LOA services to client and market needs.
• Support business development activity, including identifying opportunities and contributing to proposals and pipeline growth.
• Provide task direction and guidance to junior team members during engagement delivery.
• Promote LOA internally and externally to boost market visibility and recognition.
• Contribute to LOA strategic initiatives under the direction of the Head of LOA.
• Role model high performance, and foster collaborative and continuous within the team.

Skills

Project management

Client engagement

Stakeholder management

Communication

Change management

Education

Law degree (LLB/JD)

Related field experience

Tools

Power BI

Visio

Excel

Job description

This is an exciting time to join our award-winning Legal Operations Advisory (LOA) team.

Leveraging the innovation of our national Digital Legal Delivery practice, you will lead client engagements end-to-end, advise senior in‑house leaders, and contribute to shaping the future of legal service delivery.

This role is full‑time, and can be based in our Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane office.

What you'll do

• Advise senior leaders in corporate legal functions across all aspects of the legal operating model, with up-to‑date knowledge of industry best practice and AI.
• Act as day‑to‑day engagement lead, driving project scoping, planning and delivery of high‑quality client deliverables.
• Facilitate workshops, presentations and co‑creation sessions, translating complex concepts into clear, accessible insights.
• Proactively develop client‑facing solutions, pursue research projects and monitor trends, with a particular focus on AI.
• Build and strengthen relationships with internal and external clients, aligning LOA services to client and market needs.
• Support business development activity, including identifying opportunities and contributing to proposals and pipeline growth.
• Provide task direction and guidance to junior team members during engagement delivery.
• Promote LOA internally and externally to boost market visibility and recognition.
• Contribute to LOA strategic initiatives under the direction of the Head of LOA.
• Role model high performance, and foster collaborative and continuous within the team.

What you'll bring

• Bachelor's degree in law or a related field and at least five years' experience in legal operations and transformation.
• Proven track record managing consultative projects across the full lifecycle - assessment, design, implementation and continuous improvement - and experience scoping, planning and managing complex projects concurrently.
• Deep knowledge across operating model transformation, functional strategy, process enhancement, legal technology, change management and design‑thinking methodologies.
• Strong data handling and analytical skills, with excellent data visualisation and storytelling capability (PowerPoint, Excel, Power BI, Visio).
• Solid understanding of the legal AI landscape.
• Exceptional communication skills - able to build client relationships, present to senior stakeholders and translate complex ideas for diverse audiences.

If you are a practicing lawyer with quality experience using AI platforms to optimise workflows, and a keen interest in broadening your experience into legal operations, we would be interested in hearing from you.

What you can expect from us

• We're a world leading international law firm with a global team of over 6,000 professionals across 26 offices. As the market leader in Australia, we are committed to high performance, collaboration, diversity and digital innovation. We are client‑centred, commercially driven, and renowned for our solution‑focused expertise. We will align your growth with our ambitions.
• We make your personal and professional growth our business. And as part of the team, our ambition is yours too. Wherever you are in your career: grow and help the firm grow with you.
• We will provide opportunities to learn on the job as well as a mix of learning opportunities tailored to you. Daily experiences, supportive challenges, team collaboration, mentors, and structured learning opportunities help you to expand your knowledge and reach your goals.
• We value your wellbeing, both at home and work and we place a strong emphasis on mental health. If you need support, you'll have it and we'll empower you to harness your personal strengths, navigate uncertainty, embrace opportunities, and effectively manage things within your control.
• For more benefits on offer such as our holistic wellbeing fund or home office allowance please click here.
• Join us to be part of a human, bold and outstanding team at Australia's market leading law firm.

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values-Human, Bold, and Outstanding.