Project Manager

Freshfields; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international law firm seeks a motivated Junior Project Manager to join their Global Legal Operations team. This role involves supporting process improvement and automation projects that enhance legal operations. Candidates should have over 5 years of project management experience, strong communication skills, and a proactive approach to learning. The position offers a 12-month fixed-term contract with a hybrid working model, providing a great stepping stone for career growth in project management.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

Professional development opportunities

Global programme of innovation

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in project coordination or junior project management.
• Interest in technology, automation, and innovation within a professional services environment.
• Proactive, organised, and eager to learn.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of process improvement and automation projects.
• Define requirements, map workflows, and identify opportunities for innovation.
• Coordinate small project teams, ensuring clarity and progress.
• Apply project management best practices across delivery models.

Skills

Project coordination

Business analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Familiarity with project tools

Job description

We’re looking for a motivated Junior Project Manager to join our Global Legal Operations team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands‑on experience delivering innovation and automation projects that transform how our in‑house legal, risk and compliance teams operate.

What You’ll Do

• Support the delivery of process improvement and automation projects that transform how our legal teams work.
• Work closely with senior leaders and stakeholders to define requirements, map workflows, and identify opportunities for innovation.
• Collaborate with technology partners and developers to bring solutions to life.
• Coordinate small project teams, ensuring clarity and progress.
• Apply project management best practices across Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid delivery models.
• Track progress, manage risks, and communicate updates to stakeholders.
• Help embed new processes and tools into live service, ensuring smooth adoption.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years’ experience in project coordination or junior project management
• Exposure to business analysis or process mapping.
• Interest in technology, automation, and innovation within a professional services environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Organised, proactive, and eager to learn.
• Familiarity with project tools (e.g., Agile boards, RAID logs) is a plus.

About Our Legal Department:

Our Legal Department comprises qualified lawyers and non‑lawyers, dedicated to managing the firm’s risk exposure and advising partners on legal and compliance issues. We support effective management of regulatory, legal, operational, and information security risks to protect and enhance the firm’s long‑term value. We achieve this through proactive risk management, training, awareness initiatives, and providing relevant intelligence and resources. Our vision is to be recognised as a leading legal team among elite law firms—delivering excellent, commercial, and empathetic service while remaining agile, cost‑effective, and responsive to evolving business needs and risks.

Why Join Us?

• Work for a leading international law firm with a reputation for excellence.
• Be part of a global programme of innovation that shapes the future of legal services.
• Gain experience in legal operations, technology platforms, and change management.
• Enjoy a supportive environment that invests in your professional development.
• Hybrid working model with 50% home‑working option.
• Fixed‑term contract offers a great stepping stone for your career in project management.

Inclusion:

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case‑by‑case basis and take a number of factors into account (e.g. the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.

All offers are conditional on the right to work in the UK.