PMO Project Manager – Central London

Position Description
PMO Project Manager
Department General Management

Position type Full time, Permanent

Location London
The Role
A central PMO is being established in order to gain visibility, oversight and control of all projects being delivered across the London Office at Baker McKenzie. As part of this, a central project delivery team is being built to manage the delivery of the more complex, cross functional projects and programmes. There is a vacancy for an experienced Project Manager to join this team.
The London Office wishes to establish a central PMO in order to gain visibility, oversight and control of all strategic projects being delivered during an exciting time of change for the business.
Reporting to the Head of PMO, the successful candidate would be expected to work within an agreed delivery framework and have accountability for all aspects of the project including managing the costs, timescales, scope, resources and benefits. They should be able to manage one or more projects concurrently and be able to lead them from initiation through to closure. The candidate is expected to be comfortable managing all types of projects including changes to technology, processes, operating model or data and reporting. This is a business facing role and, as such, strong stakeholder management and leadership skills are of critical importance.
The candidate will be expected to work in a team to enable the successful delivery of Projects within the PMO and to establish the required governance for the successful operation of the function itself.

Key aspects of the role
 Reporting and Governance of the PMO including infrastructure, systems and processes
 Providing input and leadership to firm wide Projects and initiatives, bringing insights into operational best practice, supported by first class implementation
 Playing a key role in influencing behavioural change across the office through the establishment of the PMO and resulting best practice

Key responsibilities
 Create and maintain standards, methodologies and tools for the project management office. Own the project life-cycle and documentation that underpins it, managing relevant updates to templates.
 Encourage and promote project management policies, methodologies, procedures and standards across the firm.
 Raise the profile of the portfolio work and support regular communication of progress to key audiences.
 Manage the reporting and administration requirements of the PMO
 Monitor and review project performance including managing the annual project proposal process.
 Advise the Practice Groups and Business Services on project management and delivery.
 Advise Project Managers on life-cycle process including timing of stage-gates and approach to change requests, exception reports and other points of escalation.
 Conduct project health checks, ensuring post-project reviews and benefit analysis are documented and tracked.
 To provide specialist advice on one or more key project management skills / disciplines (e.g. change management, implementation, project risk analysis).
 Highlight to the Executive where further resources or interventions may be required to keep particular projects on scope, on time and on budget.
 Collate documentation relating to proposed projects; produce reports on the status of current projects; assist project managers to compile reviews of completed or aborted projects.
 Assist with the analysis of the strategic project portfolio in order to identify potential risks due to priority, resourcing or budgetary conflicts.
 Assist with overall benefits tracking and analysis across the project portfolio.
Key Skills and Experience Required
 Relevant experience of programme, portfolio or project management and delivery.
 Experience of managing programme governance at operational levels.
 Analytical, with well-structured thought processes. Organised, diligent, with good attention to detail.
 Strong interpersonal skills. Empathetic, patient and calm.
 Persistent and resilient, assertive
 Highly collaborative, team player with ability to influence and challenge at a senior level
 Has gravitas and is able to build trust and confidence with Partners to promote new ideas and able to communicate with and influence partners and challenge current thinking.
 Flexible and able to cope with changing priorities. Team player.
 Able to articulate the value that programme, portfolio, project management and PMOs can bring to a large and/or complex engagements.
 Able to demonstrate strategic vision and commercial / business acumen supported by first class implementation capability
 A suitable degree, relevant professional qualification, or appropriate experience in a similar role.
 Demonstrable experience of working in a corporate environment.
 Considerable experience in a busy and complex project management environment.
 Numerate with a good commercial understanding.
 Ability to analyse and present financial information in an effective way.
 Strong written and verbal communication, report writing and presentation skills.
 Respects and enjoys the diversity of cultural, social and academic backgrounds found in the Firm
Why join us?
Baker McKenzie is a truly global law firm. Founded in 1949, we advise many of the world’s most dynamic and successful business organisations through our 13,000 people in 77 offices across 47 countries. Yet big does not mean impersonal. We work hard to ensure that everyone knows their role and has the support they need to perform it to the highest standard. Our culture encourages this – how we work, think and behave in a collaborative and fulfilling way.
In London you will be part of an 800 person office, which is also our largest office globally. Originally opened in 1961, Baker McKenzie London is well established in the UK as a leading international law firm and is regularly involved in some of the country’s most high-profile legal matters. We can offer you the work, pride and experience of being part of a leading law firm but in a local office environment that is hardworking, yet friendly and supportive.
The strength of the firm and our culture is evidenced by a number of recent awards, including:
• Acritas’ Sharplegal Global Elite Brand Index, 2017 – ranked 1st/Brand Index: 100
• The Sunday Times’ Best Companies to Work For 2011, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17: currently ranked 66th
• The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2017: currently ranked 58th
• Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2017: currently ranked 7th
• Euromoney Women in Business Law Awards 2016: Five awards: Most Innovative International Firm for Women, Best International Firm for pro bono work, Best in tax, Best in Employment and Overall Outstanding Female Practitioner Award

SALARY: £90,000 – £110,000 PER ANNUM + BENEFITS