IT Project Manager

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer•Washington, DC

About The Position

The IT organization consists of three main divisions: Technology, Data, and Product. The Technology division includes Technology Services, responsible for systems support and system maintenance; Technology Delivery, which oversees implementing technology changes within the Business; and Architecture, which supports IT Architectural Design functions to align with the Business strategy and expectations. This role is part of the Technology Delivery team and involves managing a range of projects led by both Technology and Business. The Project Manager is responsible for ensuring the success of these projects by applying effective delivery methods. They will lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of technology infrastructure and IT components within property development, office relocation, and refurbishment projects. This role ensures seamless execution from concept to completion, working with internal teams, external vendors, and key stakeholders to deliver modern, resilient, and secure office technology solutions. The Project Manager is accountable for project outcomes, stakeholder engagement, and benefits realization.

Requirements

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Outstanding stakeholder management and facilitation skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels of the organisation.
Excellent communication and negotiation abilities, capable of resolving conflicts and aligning diverse perspectives.
Fluent in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills, suitable for working in an international environment.
Project & Change Delivery Proven track record of delivering IT and business change projects in global environments, from initiation through to benefit realisation.
Experienced in managing both large-scale initiatives and multiple smaller projects concurrently.
Strong project governance and control, including scheduling, resource planning, budgeting, forecasting, RAID management, change control, and reporting.
Competent in project and change management tools and methodologies, such as Microsoft Project, Azure DevOps, and Monday.com.
Methodologies & Technical Knowledge Experienced in waterfall, and hybrid approaches to project delivery
Solid understanding of IT systems, software development lifecycles (SDLC), and infrastructure.
Leadership & Team Management Leadership experience, managing cross-functional teams across multiple geographies and stakeholder groups.
Strong leadership and collaboration skills, fostering team accountability and high performance.
Personal Attributes Highly organized and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Strategic thinker with a proactive, problem-solving mindset, focused on delivering value and removing delivery blockers.
Resilient and composed under pressure, able to navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities.
Continuous improvement mindset, open to feedback and committed to personal and professional development.

Nice To Haves

Experience in legal, professional services, or other regulated industries.
Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or hybrid delivery frameworks.
Relevant professional certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, PRINCE2 Agile, or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM).

Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Governance Establish and lead project teams, ensuring alignment with project goals and business objectives.
Define and articulate a clear project vision and value proposition, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
Ensure compliance with IT governance frameworks, security standards, and organisational policies.
Delivery Methodology & Best Practice Champion a range of delivery methodologies, promoting best practices and sharing knowledge across delivery teams to enhance capability and performance.
Apply best-practice project management techniques across hybrid delivery models (Agile, Waterfall, etc.).
Planning & Execution Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, including high-level milestones, detailed task schedules, key deliverables, timelines, and success criteria.
Forecast and manage budgets and resource allocations, tracking actuals against projections.
Proactively manage project risks, issues, and change controls to ensure successful and timely delivery.
IT Infrastructure & Office Setup Lead the delivery of technology infrastructure for property projects, including network setup, hardware procurement, software installations, and AV/unified communications.
Ensure global standards for IT property projects (structured cabling, LAN/WAN, carrier services, AV, desktop, print).
Ensure quality assurance and governance is applied to all aspects of the projects, reported in accordance with property portfolio management processes.
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Deliver exceptional stakeholder engagement, ensuring clear communication and alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
Provide regular progress updates, reporting on status, risks, and issues to project sponsors and stakeholders.
Ensure effective communication and engagement, aligning business change deliverables with stakeholder expectations.
Change Management & Benefits Realisation Leverage project and change management expertise to drive successful project outcomes, enabling the business to achieve its desired changes and realise expected benefits.
Collaborate with stakeholders to define project scope, goals, and delivery approach.
Identify and document project benefits (both quantitative and qualitative), assign benefit owners, and implement tracking mechanisms to ensure benefits realisation.
Deliver sustainable outcomes, ensuring solutions are embedded and supported in live service environments.
Team Leadership & Support Lead and support the project team, maintaining momentum and ensuring delivery remains on track.