Manager Disputes LPM UK, US & EMEA (Belfast)

Herbert Smith Freehills; Belfast; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbert Smith Freehills is seeking a Legal Project Manager in Belfast to lead on complex engagements. This role involves managing internal partnerships, project delivery, and financial oversight while fostering team development and client relationships. A minimum of 5 years' experience in legal settings is essential, and candidates should possess excellent management and analytical skills essential for navigating complex environments.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years post-degree experience in a law or professional services firm.
• Excellent personal time management and relationship-building skills.
• Understanding of legal processes and work products.

Responsibilities

• Support in delivering structured legal project management.
• Assist in maintaining volume data and documentation.
• Manage junior team members, oversee quality, and provide feedback.

Skills

Excellent personal time management

Relationship-building

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Undergraduate degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft 365

PowerBI

SharePoint

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

col-narrow-left

Client:

Herbert Smith Freehills

Location:

Belfast, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

-

EU work permit required:

Yes

col-narrow-right

Job Reference:

27e461e35834

Job Views:

5

Posted:

02.07.2025

Expiry Date:

16.08.2025

col-wide

Job Description:

JOB DESCRIPTION

At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why many are incredibly longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 100 years.

We are where you need us to be. Our presence spans the world's largest markets, key financial centers, and major growth hubs. Our extensive and committed international footprint supports our ambitions.

We excel at tackling complexity and navigating change, working alongside clients on demanding contentious matters, regulatory work, and complex market transactions. We are recognized as leaders in these areas.

We are immersed in sectors and challenges that impact your business, with recognized strengths in energy, ESG, infrastructure, and resources. We are also focused on growth areas affecting global businesses, including technology and digitalization.

All of this is achieved by supporting our people’s growth, who in turn help us realize our ambition—to help you achieve yours.

Your goals. Our ambition.

The Opportunity

Primary Responsibilities:

General Project Management

• Support in delivering structured legal project management on large, complex, or multi-jurisdictional engagements, supporting the Senior LPM team with daily tasks or managing your own matters, escalating issues appropriately.
• Assist with project kick-off, scoping, planning, and reporting, including developing project plans, timelines, fee monitoring, managing external service providers, providing status updates, and tracking progress against scope, timeline, and budget.
• Manage project changes, scope, and risks proactively, serving as the main contact for internal partners and clients.
• Assist in maintaining volume data and documentation, ensuring an audit trail.
• Help develop solutions to client challenges using legal project management techniques, technology, and resource management.

Financial Management

• Support the design and implementation of matter budgets and fee arrangements.
• Help design financial plans to monitor costs against complex budgets.
• Proactively monitor budgets and present findings to stakeholders, considering client requirements.
• Assist in streamlining billing processes in line with firm and client standards.
• Encourage adherence to financial disciplines on matters.

People Responsibilities

• Manage junior team members, oversee quality, and provide feedback.
• Set objectives, support development, and monitor performance.
• Promote knowledge sharing and learning.
• Deliver training and demos on LPM technology and processes to teams.

Technology, Process Improvement & Other Responsibilities

• Understand and advise on LPM tools, implement solutions, and develop metrics and reporting tools.
• Capture case studies and prepare presentation materials for pitches and training.
• Draft pitch content on legal project management frameworks, technology, and process improvements.
• Assist with other client and internal projects as needed.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Essential:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years post-degree experience in a law or professional services firm.
• Understanding of legal processes and work products.
• Excellent personal time management, determination, resilience, and persistence.

Project Skills:

• High attention to detail, ability to simplify complex concepts.
• Organized, practical, with a big-picture view.
• Skilled at prioritizing workloads and working in international teams.

Financial Skills:

• Numerate, able to analyze data and generate insights.
• Understanding of law firm financial frameworks and KPIs.
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgment.

People Skills:

• Relationship-building at all levels.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and training skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Empathy and awareness.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, PowerBI, SharePoint.
• IT literacy and quick learner of new systems.

Desirable:

• Degree or qualification in Law, Management, Finance, or Business.
• Legal qualification and experience managing legal work.
• Experience with Practice Management Systems, PowerBI, Power Automate.
• Understanding of law firm economics and legal technologies.

Team & Location

Business Finance, Full-time, Belfast, Permanent.

Diversity & Inclusion

We value diversity and inclusivity, seeing them as essential to our success and aligned with our core values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.