Innovation Project Manager

This role will be based within the projects function of the innovation team. The projects function has a focus of developing ideas, and identifying, piloting and launching new solutions which have a positive and tangible impact to the way in which both legal work and business services work is delivered; for the benefit of clients as well as our own people. Whilst the majority of these ideas and solutions will be technology-based, having consideration for people, process and change related aspects will also be key to success. Although there may be a requirement to deliver broader legal technology focused projects when team and firm priorities require it, the short to medium term focus of this role will be in relation to Generative AI technology as it continues to disrupt the legal sector at a rapid pace. Working hand-in-hand with the other Innovation Project Managers, you will be delivering Generative AI focussed projects, initiatives and related transformation activities, whilst helping to evolve the Firm's ambitious Generative AI strategy, programme of work and solution roadmap. From driving organisational change and experimenting with the latest and greatest Generative AI technology, to working with the biggest technology companies and collaborating closely with our legal and business services teams, this multi-faceted role would be best suited to a highly motivated individual with a keen interest in Generative AI, and the impact it will have on conducting the business of law. The role will take sole responsibility for the delivery of small to medium sized projects or workstreams, and will support the delivery of larger more complex projects. The team's success is measured through the impact of the outputs from these projects. This is a role focused on delivering business change and impact. Stakeholder and change management experience are as important as technical skills.Main Responsibilities Delivery of projects and programme related workstreams

• Managing roll-outs of existing Generative AI technology (and new Generative AI capability from existing vendors) to increase the take-up and value from technology investments.
• Designing and leading pilots and rollouts of new Generative AI technologies; achieving high levels of adoption and the realisation of measurable quantitative and qualitative benefits (and supporting other teams in doing so, where appropriate).
• Closely collaborating with our Procurement, IT, Information Security, and Risk teams (and managing these respective workstreams in line with project plans) to ensure that all proposed solutions have been thoroughly vetted before they are made available to the business.
• Setting up and leading workstreams with specific teams and individuals relating to high value use-cases.
• Supporting the evolution of the Firm's Generative AI strategy and solution roadmap.
• Supporting and advising lawyers on the deployment of optimal people, process and technology solutions for complex matters.
• Taking a business need, issue or idea, and identifying the best way to meet that need including: gathering requirements and success criteria, assessing processes / resourcing models / technologies, designing and executing pilots, creating business cases, and designing and executing implementation / roll-out plans.
Nurturing relationships and driving cultural change
• Being one of the key contacts in relation to the Firm's Generative AI programme of work and Generative AI technologies / capabilities.
• Working collaboratively with the other members of the projects function, as well as the wider innovation team and other supporting business services teams, to drive impactful progress in the realm of Generative AI with efficiency and professionalism.
• Training and coaching individuals on what Generative AI is, and how to get the best from it.
• Training and coaching individuals on innovation means, and the services / solutions which the team can offer.
• Setting up appropriate working groups, for example a Generative AI champion network, to aid with continuously increasing adoption and respective benefits.
• Building and owning strong and trusted relationships within the firm; spanning both legal and business services teams across a range of seniorities.
• Building and owning strong and trusted relationships outside of the firm; with existing and prospective technology providers / vendors, as well as SMEs, in the Generative AI legal technology space.
• Establishing one-self as the point contact for specific Generative AI providers / vendors, and leading regular structured discussions with their customer success teams to share functional feedback, understand and influence product roadmaps, and remediate any issues.
• Collating use-cases, ideas and benefits data from users of Generative AI technology in a structured manner.
• Collating and sharing success stories to further encourage the adoption of Generative AI technology.
• Developing best practice frameworks, guidance, playbooks, and other materials relating to the use of Generative AI.
• Supporting our innovation network.
Horizon scanning and thought leadership
• Identifying new ideas, strategies and projects for embedding Generative AI technology into the business and getting the utmost value from its use.
• Developing ideas for new Generative AI powered services and / or products to provide further value to our clients and / or internal teams.
• Continuously researching the rapidly evolving Generative AI technology space within legal sector, to stay up to date with the latest advancements.
• Identifying and engaging with new technologies, software vendors and methodologies (or offerings from existing providers) that could positively impact the way in which colleagues perform work.
• Supporting internal and external communications including business development related activities.
• Autonomously leading awareness sessions, presentations, and workshops with clients and assisting Partners with speaking to clients about Generative AI, legal technology and innovation.
Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.


• Demonstrates the Stephenson Harwood values of individuality, commitment, teamwork and straight talking.
• Personality and "can-do" attitude to make an impact in the team and to influence busy senior stakeholders.
• Cooperative, collaborative, and able to develop excellent working relationships at all levels and roles.
• Highly organised and able to work to deadlines with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and prioritise realistically.
• High professional standards with commitment to quality work product.
• Outstanding levels of professionalism when working with lawyers and clients.
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
• An interest in innovation and a passion for driving change.
• Resilient with the ability to handle set-backs and pressure.
• Self-motivated, flexible and proactive.
• Comfortable with presenting to colleagues and clients at all levels.
Experience:
• Historic or current experience with legal technology.
• Proven interest in Generative AI, and a passion for driving change through the use of technology.
• Understanding of the potential value that Generative AI can bring to knowledge-based work.
• Aptitude to learn more about GenAI including the art of prompt engineering, and having confidence that you will be able to learn enough of the skills to be able to effectively coach others (both internal and external).
• Experience of working on technology, innovation, business transformation, or change related projects within a service environment.
• Demonstrated experience in being able to lead multiple concurrent projects / matters including developing and owning project plans, and being accountable for progress.
• Experience of managing project or matter teams.
• Experience of designing solutions and/or services based on customer needs.
• Proven experience in building trusted relationships, both internally and externally with diverse groups of individuals e.g. Partners, lawyers, business services staff, and third party vendors.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
• Experience of working in a professional services environment.
• Ability to operate autonomously and as a member of a team whilst consistently adopting a "one-team" and "one-Firm" approach.
• Able to demonstrate examples of taking an organised and structured approach towards solving complex problems in a business environment.
• Effective at prioritising, managing expectations, communicating clearly and successfully managing conflicting demands from different stakeholders.
Desired:
• Hands on experience of using Generative AI.
• Experience in assessing, testing, and launching legal technology.
• Experience of working alongside third party vendors as well as internal Procurement, Risk, Information Security, and IT teams to complete pre-pilot and pre-launch steps.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute at both strategic programme and individual project levels.
• Experience of successfully contributing to behavioural change.
• Understanding of the types of work typically delivered by law firms to their clients.
• An understanding of the changing legal services environment and the key drivers behind those changes.
• Experience of working in a partnership organisation structure.
• Experience of working with other legal technologies e.g. HighQ, Document Automation, AI contract review software, transaction management platforms, legal workflow solutions, generative AI applications etc.
• Experience in developing concise yet impactful business cases, and successfully securing respective investments.
• Demonstrated ability to be able to discuss both technical issues with developers / vendors, and practical / strategic challenges with senior lawyers.
• Experience of Agile (or similar) project methodologies.
• Project management certification (Prince 2, PMI or similar).
• Process improvement or design thinking certification.
  
  Our global innovation team was founded in January 2018, with a primary focus on improving and enhancing the way our lawyers deliver services to clients. The team's remit also includes identifying, developing and implementing new services that complement our core revenue generating activities., With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.
Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects. We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world. We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics. Our values Individuality We encourage creativity and develop talent. Commitment To be the best and deliver the highest standard. Teamwork We work together to build close, long-term relationships. Straight talking We say what we mean and do what we say. These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions. Our vision into 2026 To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships. This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character - the attributes we want to see from all of our people. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams. A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth. We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees. You can expect:
• A Competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies.
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family.
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers.
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes.
• The opportunity to support the firm's charity through volunteering leave.
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when we experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.