Head of Legal Operations & Project Management

We are seeking a strategic, experienced, and dynamic leader to join our Innovation & Knowledge function as the interim Head of Legal Operations and Project Management, on a fixed-term basis for at least 12 months (maternity cover).

About us

CMS is a Future Facing firm with more than 80 offices in over 45 countries and 5,800+ lawyers worldwide. We combine deep local market understanding with a global perspective. We are passionate about building strong relationships with our clients, our people, and the communities we work in.

We take a bold, dynamic, and agile approach to ensure our clients are able to face the future with confidence. We are driven by emerging technologies such as generative AI and readily embrace the possibilities it opens up for developing new and better ways of working.  Our aim is to inspire, impact and support our clients and our people, helping them to maximize their potential and thrive.

About the role

This is a critical leadership role with broad accountability for legal operational transformation, project delivery, client advisory solutions, and team development. You will drive high-impact initiatives across our practice groups, embedding best-in-class Legal Project Management (LPM), process improvement, and legal operations disciplines while supporting and elevating the profile of the function internally and externally.

In this role, you can expect to get involved in a variety of work including:

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and motivate a team of ~18 Legal Ops, Project Management, and Data professionals.

• Set clear goals and build a high-performing, inclusive team culture.

• Manage team workload and priorities to align with overall objectives.

• Support team development in legal ops, project management, and client service.

• Lead strategic initiatives that grow the team’s impact and visibility.

   

   

  Operational Excellence & Strategic Transformation
   

• Improve how legal services are delivered using LPM, tech, process improvement, and data.
• Work with practice leaders to enhance planning, pricing, budgeting, and resourcing.
• Apply best practices to boost efficiency, consistency, and client satisfaction.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and Strategy to align legal ops with the wider firm.

Project Management & LPM Enablement

• Oversee LPM for major client matters and internal projects.
• Expand LPM skills and practices across legal and support teams.
• Standardize project management methods and tools firm-wide.
• Position LPM as a key capability aligned with practice goals and client needs.

Client Advisory & Solutions Development

• Support client-facing work with Legal Ops and Project Management expertise.
• Help with client pitches and deliver tailored operational solutions.
• Develop tools and approaches to solve client delivery challenges.

• Build a strong reputation as a trusted advisor and innovation partner.

   

   

  Training, Change & Capability Building
   

• Create and deliver training to spread legal ops and LPM practices across the firm.
• Lead change and improvement initiatives across legal and operational areas.
• Use data and feedback to improve services and influence firm practices. 

About you

We will invest in your ongoing training and development to support your professional goals and help you to thrive in your role from day one. Our opportunities are open to all suitably qualified applicants, so to be considered for this role, you must meet the following skills and experience:

• Proven leadership experience in legal operations, legal project management, or professional services delivery at a senior level.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing teams, managing performance, and delivering strategic outcomes.
• Deep understanding of legal service delivery models, firm economics, and commercial drivers.
• Experience building and embedding operational functions that serve both internal teams and clients.
• Strong track record in managing senior stakeholders and influencing at all levels of the business.
• Hands-on leader with strong execution focus.
• Excellent communicator, collaborator, and relationship builder.
• Strong project management, change management, and process improvement capabilities.
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and a pragmatic mindset.
• Confident in representing the team internally and externally, acting as a brand ambassador for Legal Operations and Innovation.

What’s in it for you?

We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:

•    Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)
•    Flexible, hybrid working policy
•    Generous bonus scheme
•    Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)
•    Holiday exchange scheme
•    Private medical insurance
•    Enhanced parental leave

If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.

Equal opportunities

At CMS, we place diversity and inclusion at the centre of our culture and the heart of our organisation. As a firm we recognise, celebrate, and embrace the diverse talent our society has to offer because we know that to solve big problems, we need the best and brightest minds available to us.  In support of this goal, we commit to actively breaking down barriers which stand in the way of those from diverse backgrounds and play our part in levelling the playing field. 
 
As a Future Facing Firm, we strongly believe that a career in law should be open to people from all walks of life, because not only does diversity of thought and experience make our firm a stronger and more sustainable business, but it also makes it a more rewarding place to work.
 
When recruiting, we prioritise attracting talented people and we actively promote a flexible working environment which enables all our team members to thrive. If you see a role you are interested in, but don’t feel you meet 100% of the criteria we encourage you to still consider making an application. We also welcome applications from those who may be looking to return to the workforce after a career break. 
 
We are proud to say our leadership in creating an inclusive working culture has been celebrated and recognised externally, including being listed for a number of years in the Times Top 50 Employers for Women and the Social Mobility Index.
 
We are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer, and we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities, whether visible or invisible. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity throughout our recruitment process and in every element of the employee life cycle. If you require assistance, or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements or adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please contact a member of the Talent Acquisition team at TalentAcquisition@cms-cmno.com who will be happy to support you.

Ready to apply? Here are the next steps.

We look forward to receiving your application online via the CMS careers site. Please contact our Talent Acquisition team if you have any questions. 
 

Please note that we have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.

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