Programme Manager - 24 Month FTC

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About Ashurst

Ashurst is a leading progressive global law firm with a rich history spanning more than 200 years. We are proud of our history and are future-focused, having expanded into new technologies through our NewLaw division, Ashurst Advance, and our consulting arm. Our in-depth understanding of our clients and commitment to providing excellent standards of service have seen us become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments in all areas of commercial law. To find out more please visit www.ashurst.com .

Department/Role overview

The Transformation Management Office (TMO) is an integral part of shaping, defining, and delivering a portfolio of initiatives aligned to the Firm's Strategy.

The Programme Manager will work with stakeholders, SMEs and other TMO resources to deliver these varied initiatives across the firm.

Main responsibilities

Programme Manage the development and execution of the IT Simplification initiative, encompassing the following areas:

• IT Service Management including deployment of new tooling
• Digital Workplace, including Microsoft 365, Windows 11, VDI
• Application migration to the cloud and data centre reduction/closure

The programme is currently in the high level design and planning phase with support from a third party vendor.

This role will include the assessment and delivery design of each workstream along with management of the approval process, to the design and execution of each workstream and finally to the management, tracking and reporting of related projects.

The main responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Work closely with the programme board and project sponsors, cross-functional teams and assigned project managers (third party and internal) to define and continuously monitor the programme roadmap and key capabilities to deliver
• Create a plan for the programme and continuously monitor and assess progress and resolve any potential issues to ensure set milestones are met
• Ensures executive sponsors and key stakeholders are informed about key risks and major issues impacting the programme and that decision points are escalated promptly
• Manage connections and dependencies between programmes and projects across the firm, develop relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to support knowledge sharing and transparent communication
• Plan and develop scope, deliverables, required resources, work plan, budget, and timelines to successfully deliver capabilities in accordance to the programme roadmap
• Define and manage the programme budget and adapt it according to any change in requirements
• Work directly with technical and business teams
• Work with business change and communications professional (internal & external) to implement plans to effectively deliver the transformation
• Work directly with third party vendors on the delivery of the programme and where applicable identify new vendors to support delivery, including contract/relationship management
• Work with resource managers to plan and secure resource outside of the core programme team
• Work with the programme team and all stakeholders to identify risks and opportunities, assign ownership and action plans
• Produce regular high quality reporting at all levels in the firm to provide an update on progress, capabilities delivered and key challenges
• Act as a coach/mentor for Project Managers, Business Leads and Sponsors where a requirement is identified

Please note: this role is unlikely to be suitable for someone who needs a large team to produce great work at pace. You will be expected to have the capability and desire to undertake many of your duties yourself. This is a hands-on role, requiring a can-do attitude

• Risk and Control: Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with our regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Essential skills and experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience across project and programme management with a proven track record of successfully leading global projects to deliver value, through the full project life cycle in a professional services company, ideally a law firm
• Demonstrable experience of working on complex, large-scale technology and business transformation
• Demonstrable experience of working on migrations of applications to the Cloud (SaaS and Azure) and the migration of technology out of on-premise data centres
• Demonstrable experience of deploying Enterprise Service Management tooling (e.g. ServiceNow, Halo, Freshworks) to an IT function and across other functional areas (HR, Finance etc..)
• Experience and knowledge in business change requirements, including communication and training, required for a large technology transformation
• Experience managing multiple third party vendors to support the delivery of transformation
• Experience across the whole project lifecycle including scoping, scheduling, costing, resourcing, change, communications, quality, risk and project closure.
• Advanced organisational and influencing skills, flexibility of style, attention to detail and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, high pressured, detail-oriented environment
• High degree of initiative and independent judgment with excellent troubleshooting, decision-making and follow-through skills
• Develop and manage project risk documentation ensuring that required project documentation is properly completed
• Track progress against plans, budget and agreed KPIs, alerting relevant stakeholders promptly to variances and recommending changes and developing contingency plans where necessary.
• Excellent people skills with a track record of establishing and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels
• Experience in working in a global environment and across multiple time-zones
• AgilePM, PRINCE2 or equivalent project management certifications

Desired skills and experience

• Experience of managing business change within a shared services environment with strong focus on standardisation and optimisation
• Good level of process improvement awareness and use of associated techniques (Lean, Six Sigma etc..)
• Change management qualification (PROSCI)

Background checks

In order to comply with regulatory and client requirements, Ashurst will undertake appropriate vetting of staff. When applicants accept a job offer, Ashurst, alongside a specialist provider, will undertake professional verification and background checks. These checks are only undertaken with consent, and in accordance with our legal and regulatory obligations.

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