Project Manager

Position summary: Cooley Firm Operations embraces a culture of strategic thinking and operational excellence, and all members of the department are expected to move this agenda forward. To that end, the Project Manager is expected to recognize that the Cooley firm operations department is a service organization first and foremost and will be evaluated on this requirement equal in importance to the technical or operational responsibilities outlined later in this document.

The primary, on-going responsibility of the Project Manager is for management of firm operations projects  following firm’s established PMO methodologies and standards.  This position will be responsible to lead a large number of projects from initiation to completion.  Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position responsibilities:

• Lead the planning and implementation of firm operation projects
• Facilitate the definition of project goals, tasks and resource requirements
• Manage and drive a high volume of projects to completion
• Manage project resourcing, develop and maintain project roles and responsibilities
• Follow a defined, agreed upon project management methodology for all projects
• Regularly and proactively manage project in Cooley's project management platform (“Workfront”)
• Maintain an understanding and appreciation of processes/procedures and governance required to lead large projects
• Identify, assess and minimize project risks until successful project completion
• Communicate project status to key stakeholders
• Document and communicate meeting minutes, action items/issues, risks and key decisions
• Monitor progress to goals with focus on delivery of success criteria
• Promote the benefits of change and act as a catalyst for change across the Firm and adapt to changes imposed by others
• Organize, guide, and direct the activities of the cross-functional team
• Prioritize tasks to meet deliverables and commitments on time
• All other duties as assigned

Skills and experience:

Required:

• After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
• Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required
• Ability to travel, as required
• 2+ years prior project management and planning experience implementing projects (preferably within technology)
• Strong and tested project management skills, including sponsor and risk management
• Strong track record of leading successful major projects from start to finish according to plan

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Certified Project Manager (from accredited program) and/or PMP credential
• Prior law firm experience

Competencies:

• Ability to facilitate and coordinate meetings in an effective manner
• Ability to deal with tight timelines, limited resources and deliver on time and within scope
• Ability to lead remote teams
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, customer service, project management and communication skills
• Goal-oriented and detail-oriented
• Proven track record of excellent decision making, integrity and working with IS management, business users and business professionals
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including technical and user documentation
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and under high pressure with tight schedules and deadlines
• Ability to interact well with all levels of business professionals
• Ability to think strategically (big picture) and tactically in regard to project planning, scoping, budgeting, and quality
• Excellent active listening skills
• Flexible and patient with process development, execution and adherence to project management practices
• Capable of grasping new concepts quickly and without prior experience
• Ability to multi-task and work in fast-paced environment
• Ability to interact and coordinate with several teams to achieve objectives
• Ability to solve problems independently and simultaneously, effectively managing multiple tasks
• Professional demeanor at all times
• Exceptional customer service skills

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices. EOE.

The expected annual pay range for this position with a work schedule of 40 hours per week is $100,000 - $145,000. Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 21 days of Paid Time Off (“PTO”) and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.