Job Description
18 month FTC
The Role
Clifford Chance is embarking on a major finance systems transformation programme in support of its vision to be the global law firm of choice for the world's leading businesses of today and tomorrow.
In support of this transformation, we are reviewing the suitability of our current systems and processes with a view to rationalising, simplifying, upgrading, or replacing them. We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead and oversee several initiatives as part of the wider programme, including a discovery and evaluation exercises to better understand the firm's current systems and processes, as well as the current and required process standardisation projects. This role will work across the firm's leadership teams to develop and map the overall Programme timeline, budget, and targeted outcomes, including the change management activities required to guide our user communities through the transition journey. The initial stage includes the delivery of vendor evaluations in collaboration with the Procurement team, and the change management activities led by the Change Manager. The Programme Manager will be responsible for delivery of these initiatives in line with the wider programme plan.
The successful candidate will have experience of leading large finance systems and process transformation initiatives, working closely with senior leadership to deliver against a wider strategy. The role will be responsible for maintaining engaged governance on the programme, managing senior sponsors and a variety of finance, technology, and business stakeholders. The Programme Manager will also be responsible for the project team's delivery, both direct and matrix management, including external suppliers.
Who you will work with
This role will join a recently established Programme Team, reporting to the Director of the Global Programme Group and working closely with other project, business analysis, technical, and change management professionals. You will work with other project disciplines, domain experts and a range of stakeholder groups across the various initiatives within the programme. You will work closely with the firm's appointed strategic advisors, who will support the delivery of the programme.
You will manage and, where appropriate, create governance groups to oversee the delivery of the programme across the firm globally. You will establish a network of project team members across the firm's offices to support the delivery of the programme and engage local expertise to provide inputs where needed. You will also establish and maintain relationships with senior business, finance, and IT stakeholders to maintain effective collaboration channels.
What you will be responsible for
Your primary responsibility will be the delivery of all initiatives within scope, in line with the programme plan and within budget. You will ensure that the programme delivers in line with the business case and that benefits are tracked and delivered. You will manage all major programme risks and issues and ensure ownership is established and escalations are managed appropriately. You will deliver the programme in line with the Global Programme Group's Delivery Framework, applying industry best practices to optimise the programme's delivery.
What you will do
As the person responsible for the programme's delivery, you will:
- Inherit existing plans to develop and maintain a single Programme Plan that incorporates all initiatives within scope.
- Establish a suitably sized and skilled team to guide and deliver each programme stage, through to overall delivery (and retirement of current systems and processes), in line with an agreed overall Programme Plan.
- Manage the programme budget and ensure timely and accurate financial reporting to the Programme Management Office, Programme Board, and sponsors.
- Ensure the programme is being delivered in line with the Business Case and manage any deviations through Change Control.
- Develop and maintain the necessary controls for the programme, including but not limited to risk and issues management, change control, dependency mapping, and decision matrices.
- Manage relationships with senior sponsors and stakeholders, ensuring they are informed and able to act on the programme when needed.
- Represent the programme to the wider firm, including the delivery of programme communications and presentations.
- Establish a network to assist with the delivery of the programme globally and ensure collaboration across the firm's network of offices globally.
- Manage the project team, including direct and matrix management of team responsibilities and objectives.
- Support the Change Manager in the delivery of the Change Strategy and Benefit Realisation Plans.
- In collaboration with the Procurement team, lead and deliver vendor evaluations, workshops, RFIs/RFPs, and Business Case creation.
- Work closely with the programme's strategic advisors to deliver the programme and facilitate their input across the various levels of the programme.
- Manage governance groups and escalation paths, ensuring any blockers or major risks and issues are mitigated swiftly through effective governance processes.
Company Description
Who we are
We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.
Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.
You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.
Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.
This role follows our 'balanced' hybrid working approach and as long as business needs allow, you will be supported to work in a hybrid way with the expectation of working from the office for a minimum of 50% of your time. Please see our careers site for further information on our working environment.
Qualifications
Your experience
- Experience of leading large finance systems and process transformation initiatives.
- Demonstrable programme management experience in professional services and across a range of other related industries.
- Experience of ERP and/or Practice Management implementations is highly desirable.
- Strong presentation, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas in easy-to-understand business terms to all levels of management, including senior leaders.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple competing priorities with high attention to detail.
- Effective analytical skills, exceptional listening skills with ability to effectively coach and mentor others.
- Exhibits effective team skills and ability to lead by influence.
- Familiarity with change management approaches, tools, and methodologies.
- The successful candidate will hold an industry recognised Project and/or Programme Management certification and be able to evidence how they have effectively applied this knowledge and expertise to programme delivery in a complex, fast-paced environment
How we will support you
From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching, and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training, and on the job learning
Additional Information
Equal opportunities statement
At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.
We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.
We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.
Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.
Find out more about our inclusive culture here
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