Client Project Manager

San Francisco, Mountain View, Foster City or San Jose CA

Summary

A global law firm is seeking for a Client Project Manager who will work with partners, matter teams, and clients to manage all aspects of the relationship for one or more major clients. This includes scoping matters and monitoring budgets, managing vendors, tracking key deadlines and milestones, and constant communication with partners for a portfolio of matters across multiple practices. In addition, this position will also develop and refine project management tools, checklists and processes for the assigned clients and conduct regular meetings with all stakeholders including interaction with the client’s personnel. This position will collaborate with finance, practice management, knowledge management, docketing, marketing, records, IT and the pricing and legal project management team to meet these goals. This position can be based in any of our Bay Area (CA) offices.

Responsibilities

• Manage project budgeting/forecasting and comparison against actual time and billing, as well as project calendaring, timeline and milestone development.
• Create project plans, estimate the resources needed to achieve project goals, and lead the budget-creation process.
• Facilitate communication within matter teams to ensure the appropriate effort is expended on tasks.
• Review staffing arrangements and collaborate with partners and practice management to determine optimal staffing levels.
• Develop a holistic picture of the firm’s financial investment in the portfolio and performance against client satisfaction goals.
• Interface with clients regarding budget creation and monitoring, scope changes, and improvements in service delivery methods.
• Create metrics and analytics which demonstrate value delivered to the client during the life cycle of matters.
• Identify and lead process improvement initiatives that can increase client satisfaction and firm profitability.
• Oversee matter closing documentation, including gathering relevant matter intelligence for use in knowledge management, pricing, project budgets, and analysis.
• Liaise with outside vendors to ensure cost effective and efficient delivery of services.
• Help ensure adherence with client outside counsel guidelines.

Requirements

• Advanced Excel skills required; strong Word, PowerPoint and/or database skills preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to work seamlessly with high level executives and as part of a team.
• Advanced communication and writing skills in order to convey and explain various budgeting scenarios, to report progress against the budget and to make recommendations to better manage the engagement.
• Must be organized, self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams on complex projects.

Reporting to the Director of Pricing and Legal Project Management, the qualified candidate will have 10+ years of experience in project management, law or Finance positions with an emphasis on budget and matter management. Legal industry experience required. Bachelor’s degree in business or finance related area required; JD or MBA degree preferred.