Director of Legal Project Management

We are always seeking talented, motivated, growth-minded, and creative individuals. Our firm is committed to providing employee support and advancement, while embracing inclusion and innovation as keys to a stronger future.

We invite you to explore the position below and to submit your application to join our team!

The Director of Legal Project Management (LPM) will lead a team focusing on the implementation and management of all aspects of alternative fee agreements (AFAs) from the signing of the engagement to the conclusion of the work. This includes ensuring proper implementation in internal and client side billing systems, coordinating and communicating client budget requirements, and organizing large multifunctional teams around institutional clients to effectively manage the process and improve client and attorney satisfaction. The Director of Legal Project Management will maintain a commitment to the firm’s culture of excellence and service, demonstrating objectivity and professionalism, and acting in the best interests of the firm.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Drive the strategy and business operations strategy around key client relationships, with a focus on large, institutional-scale clients and complex engagements.

• Effectively manage a team of project management staff to accomplish core functional responsibilities, such as financial and expense budget management, workload, and staffing management.

• Assess current services, needs, and issues related to the large clients operating under AFAs and strict counsel guidelines, as well as other areas of the firm where LPM may be beneficial, based on firm strategy.

• Document related firm processes and practices; drive increased awareness of and compliance with Outside Counsel Guidelines and other key information sources related to the client, focused on improving the billing and collections cycle and mitigating revenue loss and risk of non-compliance.

• Work with lead attorneys to identify and address staffing and support team needs and challenges for different engagements; identify operational tasks that can be removed from attorneys and timekeepers to allow for increased billings and improved operational efficiency.

• Successfully manage risk and meet client expectations, ensure effective budgeting and profitability, and support critical client relationships to enhance long-term viability.

• Create relevant and scalable LPM service templates, ensuring the ability to easily customize for various clients and projects.

• Collaborate with attorneys and firmwide administrative departments to identify organizational issues and solutions and advocate best practices to facilitate the development and implementation of Firm and LPM business objectives.

• Drive effective communication to and with legal teams on performance against budgets and profitability, supporting critical client relationships to enhance long-term viability.

• Identify and implement effective tracking mechanisms to show continued progress and returns.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Combination of strategic thinking and leadership, as well as the willingness and ability to participate directly when required.

• Committed to high standards of excellence and proven results.

• Proven track record in gaining trust and credibility and partnering collaboratively with leaders.

• Ability to relate to individuals at all levels, internally and externally and build productive relationships.

• Detailed understanding of the billing process with a detailed understanding of firm and client accounting systems, as well as billing and e-billing platforms.

• Sense of urgency, with the ability to prioritize and change priorities when necessary while remaining composed and providing strong leadership and guidance.

• Capable of identifying issues, developing creative and effective solutions, and resolving conflict through acceptable and practical business solutions.

• High level of energy and professionalism with well-developed interpersonal strengths.

• High level of discretion, diplomacy, and a commitment to maintaining the highest level of confidentiality.

• Ability to interact on a strategic level with business professional teams, attorneys, and other relevant professionals, both internal and external.

• Ability to work with individuals at all levels, internal and external, and build effective relationships.

• Ability to communicate ideas or positions in a professional manner, promoting teamwork and a commitment to outstanding customer service.

• High level of professionalism, sound business judgment, discretion, and diplomacy.

• Ability to multitask effectively and efficiently.

• Highly motivated, proactive, and collaborative.

Education and/or Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline. Masters’ degree or JD preferred.

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years’ experience in progressively responsible in project or program management positions at an AmLaw 100 law firm or large corporate legal operations department.

• Minimum of ten (10) years’ people management experience.

#LI-Hybrid

The Firm will comply with any applicable city or state workplace mandates in effect in regards to Covid-19. 

This position description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of the job.  The statements contained in the position description are not necessarily all-inclusive and additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as determined by business needs.

This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

By applying for this position, you agree and understand that Troutman Pepper Locke will process your Personal Information pursuant to the terms of our Worker and Applicant Global Privacy Notice. If you have questions about our data handling practices, or you are a resident of California, the United Kingdom, or the European Union and wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity
Troutman Pepper Locke adheres to a policy of equal opportunity and will make all employment decisions, which include hiring, promotion, transfer, demotion, evaluation, compensation and separation, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital or armed forces status and any other classification as protected by law.

Compensation is dependent on several factors, such as position, location, education, training, and/or experience.

$225,000.00 - $245,000.00