Senior Project Manager

The role:

We are looking for a Senior Project Manager to join our Transformation department in Bristol or London.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Simmons & Simmons at a pivotal moment in its transformation journey. As part of our newly established Transformation function, you will play a leading role in delivering some of the firm's most strategically important initiatives, helping to shape how we operate, serve our clients and embrace emerging technologies, including AI.

Reporting to the Head of Programme Management, the Senior Project Manager will lead complex, high-impact projects that span multiple business areas and stakeholder groups. Working closely with senior sponsors and leadership teams, you will drive initiatives from concept through to implementation, ensuring successful outcomes whilst helping to establish a modern, enterprise-wide approach to project delivery.

This is more than a traditional project management role. It is an opportunity to influence the future direction of the firm, work on a diverse portfolio of transformational and operational change, and contribute to building a best-in-class project delivery capability at the heart of the organisation.

What will you do:

• Lead the delivery of complex, strategically significant transformation and operational change initiatives.

• Partner with sponsors and senior stakeholders to shape delivery approaches, implementation strategies and business outcomes.

• Establish and maintain project plans, budgets, governance structures and reporting mechanisms.

• Manage complex risks, issues, dependencies and organisational impacts across multiple workstreams

• Lead project boards, steering committees and executive governance forums.

• Ensure projects deliver measurable business value and remain aligned to strategic objectives.

• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across business, technology and external suppliers.

• Drive stakeholder engagement, change adoption and business readiness activities.

• Mentor and support Project Managers, sharing expertise and promoting delivery excellence.

• Contribute to the ongoing development of project management standards, governance and ways of working across the Transformation function.

• Support portfolio planning and prioritisation activities alongside the PMO and senior leadership.

What we are looking for:

We're looking for an experienced and ambitious project leader who thrives in complex environments and enjoys turning strategy into tangible business outcomes. You'll be motivated by the opportunity to deliver meaningful change, influence senior decision-makers and play a key role in shaping the future of the firm.

You will bring:

• A strong track record of successfully delivering complex business, technology or transformation projects and programmes.

• Experience working with senior executives, sponsors and cross-functional leadership teams.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills.

• Strong commercial awareness, including experience managing budgets, forecasts and business cases.

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and navigate ambiguity, complexity and competing priorities.

• Experience driving organisational change and supporting business adoption.

• A proactive, collaborative and delivery-focused mindset.

• A passion for continuous improvement and helping to build high-performing delivery teams.

• A professional project management qualification (APM, PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent) is desirable.

Career Level:

The career level assigned to this role is level 4. The career level framework provides a formal structure for the business services functions at the firm. The framework, which ranges from level 1 to level 7, clearly defines the responsibilities, skills and competencies required at each level.

Here at Simmons & Simmons:

At Simmons, we are proud of our collaborative, open and non-hierarchical culture, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity and the wellbeing of our people is paramount. Our dynamic minds work as one integrated team, partnering with leading organisations on inspirational and thought-provoking projects that matter. From day one, irrespective of job title, qualification or background, everyone’s voice is heard, and you are encouraged to have an enquiring mind and share ideas that drive the firm forward. Through innovative learning and development opportunities, you will have a platform to excel, exceed your career ambitions, and achieve things you never thought possible.

Some key information: 

• We offer a competitive package including bonuses dependant on role/level, private medical insurance and pension contribution.

• Our global skills academy provides our people, regardless of their role and location, with excellent learning opportunities (including live workshops, podcasts, short videos and practical learning experiences).

• We have adopted a hybrid working approach with a requirement for a minimum of three days in the office with flexibility dependant on role/team/client demands.

• We are proud to rank as a Times Top 50 Employer for Gender Equality, a Stonewall Top Global Employer, and a Top 75 Employer for Social Mobility.

• We have a range of social and sports committees, summer and winter parties and monthly get togethers.

• We have a range of diversity networks to connect people and celebrate our differences which is integral to our inclusive culture.

• All UK offices have their own artwork collections – including Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin pieces in the London office. We have a long-standing history in supporting the art community especially up-and-coming artists.

• We have recently introduced a Strategic Advisory Council which is a mix of associates and business services who will propose strategic initiatives that align with our firm's mission and support the delivery of our business plan, shaping the future of our next-generation law firm.

• Our in-house generative AI tool, Percy, won the ‘Innovation in Automation and AI Tools’ category at the 2024 FT Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards. This achievement highlights our commitment to technological innovation and client service.

• We have been commended in The Times Best Law Firms 2026 across three categories: construction, employment, and intellectual property. Our profile is highly positive, highlighting our sector specialisms and notable case and transactional work.

Equal opportunities:

We are committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion within our firm and to ensuring equal employment opportunities. We believe that this commitment creates a vibrant and rewarding work environment. We are therefore committed to: 

• Upholding equal opportunities, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity, marital status, or pregnancy, including maternity and paternity. This commitment extends to addressing any instances of perceived or associative discrimination and harassment. We also ensure fair treatment during recruitment and selection processes for those who are serving or have served in the armed forces, along with their families. 

• Accommodating requests for flexible working arrangements whenever possible. We encourage you to discuss your needs with us if this is something you require. 

• Making our roles accessible to individuals with diverse abilities. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can meet your needs. 

• We offer a range of employee networks to support our colleagues. More information about these networks can be found in the D&I Information booklet that candidates are sent when invited to interview.

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. We are looking for individuals who are passionate and eager to learn and grow with us. Your unique experiences and perspectives could be a great addition to our team.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this position, please contact the Recruitment Team. To apply for the role, click on the link at the top of the page or visit our careers page for more details.