Legal Project Manager

Optimized People; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A legal services firm is seeking a Legal Project Manager to coordinate projects across various legal teams. The ideal candidate will have a strong legal background, a law degree, and at least 3–5 years of project management experience. Responsibilities include managing project deliverables, stakeholder communication, budget oversight, and ensuring compliance with legal standards. Strong organizational and leadership skills are essential, along with proficiency in legal project management tools. Join us to drive successful project completion and enhance client relations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in legal project management or similar role.
• PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent certification is desirable.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate legal projects across various practice areas.
• Facilitate smooth interactions between clients and internal teams.
• Develop detailed project plans with resource allocation and contingency planning.
• Identify opportunities to streamline legal workflows.
• Monitor project budgets and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Collaborate with legal and administrative teams to meet milestones.

Skills

Legal understanding

Stakeholder management

Project planning

Process optimization

Leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Law Degree (LLB or equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Legal project management tools

Job description

The ideal candidate will be responsible for coordinating and managing project deliverables across multiple legal teams, ensuring that project timelines are met, and outputs are delivered to a high standard. This role requires someone with a deep understanding of legal processes, combined with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and projects efficiently. The Legal Project Manager will work closely with legal practitioners, clients, and support teams to drive successful project completion.

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination: Manage and coordinate legal projects across various practice areas, ensuring clear communication between teams and adherence to project timelines and deliverables.

Stakeholder Management: Act as the key point of contact for clients and internal teams, facilitating smooth interactions and addressing any concerns or queries.

Planning & Execution: Develop detailed project plans, including resource allocation, risk management, and contingency planning, to ensure that legal projects are delivered on time and within scope.

Process Optimization: Identify opportunities to streamline legal workflows and project management processes, promoting efficiency within the firm.

Reporting & Documentation: Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including status reports, budgets, and post-project reviews. Present updates to leadership and clients as required.

Budget Management: Monitor project budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and any financial risks are identified and mitigated early.

Compliance: Ensure that all projects comply with regulatory and legal standards in South Africa, while keeping up to date with industry developments.

Team Collaboration: Work with lawyers, paralegals, and administrative teams to ensure project milestones are met. Provide guidance and support to junior team members.

Client Relations: Build and maintain strong client relationships by ensuring high-quality service and timely project delivery.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Legal Background: A law degree (LLB or equivalent) is required, with a strong understanding of legal terminology and processes. Admission as an attorney is advantageous.

Project Management Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of experience in legal project management or a similar role within a law firm or corporate legal department.

Project Management Certification: PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent certification is desirable.

Strong Organizational Skills: Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.

Leadership & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively manage teams, clients, and stakeholders.

Problem‑Solving: Demonstrated ability to identify issues, develop solutions, and implement improvements to ensure project success.

Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with legal project management tools, document management systems, and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).