Legal Project Manager

Optimized People; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimized People seeks a Legal Project Manager to coordinate cross‑practice legal projects, ensuring timelines are met and outputs meet high standards. You will work with lawyers, clients, and support teams to plan, monitor budgets, and manage risks.

The role requires strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills, plus proficiency with MS Office and legal PM tools, in a fast-paced environment in Sandton.

Qualifications

• LLB or equivalent law degree required.
• 3–5 years legal project management experience.
• Certification PMP or PRINCE2 desirable.
• Strong organizational and deadline-driven work style.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Familiarity with legal project management tools and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate legal projects across practice areas with timelines and deliverables.
• Serve as key liaison for clients and internal teams to facilitate smooth communication.
• Develop detailed project plans including resources, risks, and contingencies.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including status reports and budgets.

Skills

Legal background

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

LLB or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

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).