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The Programme Manager will be responsible for the overall management of a portfolio of change and transformation initiatives within the Practice Solutions function, underpinning the Firm’s AI and Innovation strategy. The role will design and run the programme framework, governance and cadence required to deliver a complex set of legal technology, AI and culture change projects at scale, and will act as a central control function and driving force for execution.
You will work closely with the Chief Innovation Officer and the Practice Solutions leadership team to coordinate multiple projects across the function, ensuring that plans are aligned, dependencies are managed, risks and issues are controlled, and that the programme delivers measurable value for the Firm.
We are keen to meet people who work most comfortably in a programme environment, and who can design and run robust programme structures with clearly defined tasks, activities, milestones and success metrics. Our approach is informed by data and insight, and we expect our programme leaders to be comfortable reading and interpreting data presented in spreadsheets and dashboards, and to use this to inform decisions and drive performance.
Key Responsibilities
Programme Design and Governance
Design and implement the overall programme framework for the Practice Solutions portfolio, including governance structures, decision-making forums, roles and responsibilities, and reporting lines
Establish and maintain a clear programme plan covering all projects and workstreams, including milestones, interdependencies, critical path and resource assumptions
Set up and manage programme-level risk, issue, dependency and decision logs, and ensure active mitigation and escalation as appropriate
Define and run a regular meeting cadence for the programme, including steering committees, leadership updates, working groups and project reviews
Strategic Alignment and Control Function
Work closely with the Chief Innovation Officer and Practice Solutions leadership team to translate the Firm’s AI and Innovation strategy into an executable programme of work with clear outcomes and benefits
Act as the central control function for the programme, ensuring that projects are aligned to strategic priorities, appropriately sequenced, and delivered in a coherent and integrated way
Monitor delivery against the programme plan, proactively identify variances, and work with project owners to agree corrective actions
Ensure that benefits, value measures and KPIs are defined, tracked and reported, and that outcomes are clearly articulated to leadership and stakeholders
Portfolio and Stakeholder Management
Oversee a portfolio of change and transformation projects across the Practice Solutions function, ensuring consistency of approach, standards and quality
Coordinate activities across multiple teams (for example innovation, AI, legal technology, knowledge, change and adoption) to ensure alignment, collaboration and integrated delivery
Develop and deliver stakeholder engagement plans for senior leadership, practice group leaders and key business stakeholders, building strong relationships and ensuring transparency of progress, risks and decisions
Prepare high-quality programme materials for leadership and Firm-wide forums, including status reports, roadmaps and decision papers
Change, Adoption and Culture
Ensure that programme and project plans fully integrate change management, communications, training and adoption activities, working closely with the Change & Adoption and internal communications teams
Support the design of change interventions that drive culture and behavioural change in relation to AI, legal technology and innovation, ensuring that new ways of working are embedded and sustained
Use data and insight on adoption, usage and user behaviour to inform programme decisions and to refine interventions and communications over time
Collaboration and Ways of Working
Collaborate with internal teams (project managers, internal communications, learning, technology and business services) to deliver outcomes that are aligned with existing channels, processes and formats
Promote best practice in programme and project management across Practice Solutions, including standard templates, tools and methodologies
Support continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned, and by evolving the programme framework as the function and Firm’s needs develop
Required Skills and Experience
Significant experience in programme management in a complex professional services environment, ideally within a global law firm or comparable partnership structure
Proven track record of leading large-scale transformation programmes across multiple geographies, with a focus on technology-enabled change, AI, innovation and cultural or behavioural change
Experience operating at Senior Manager level or equivalent, working directly with C‑suite or senior leadership, and influencing at partner or executive level
Demonstrable experience setting up and running programme governance, including steering committees, reporting frameworks, risk and issue management, and structured decision-making processes
Strong portfolio management skills, including prioritization, dependency management and resource planning across multiple concurrent initiatives
High level of comfort with data, including the ability to interpret programme and adoption metrics, financials and dashboards, and to use data to support decision-making and performance management
Excellent stakeholder management, communication and presentation skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear narratives for different audiences
Preferred Skills and Experience
Big 4 or other leading consultancy background, with experience delivering complex transformation programmes for global clients
Solid understanding of AI platforms, legal technologies and innovation in the legal sector, and the opportunities and challenges they present for a global law firm
Formal programme or project management qualification (for example MSP, PRINCE2, Agile or similar)
Change management qualification (for example PROSCI or APMG) and practical experience integrating change and adoption into programme delivery
An interest in or qualification related to behavioural science, organizational psychology or similar discipline, and experience applying these concepts to drive culture change
What We Offer
At White & Case, you can make a real difference, work on cutting-edge matters that make the headlines and help shape the world we live in. We live by our values – to be pioneering, united and human – and you will experience them from your first day. We will give you the support and training that will help you achieve your potential.
We believe that consistent high performance merits reward and support. Our compensation package reflects your calibre as a senior member of our market leading Practice Solutions team and our benefits are designed to support your changing needs and priorities across different life stages.
We offer high-quality, internationally oriented work on the most challenging matters and an opportunity to work as part of a truly global organisation.
Location and Reporting
This role is based in our London office and reports to the Chief Innovation Officer, Practice Solutions.
Our standard office hours are 09:30–18:00, with a current requirement for 4 days in the office per week.
Firm Benefits
We offer a flexible range of benefits, services and programmes designed to help support your lifestyle requirements. Some of the benefits currently available include:
Private medical insurance
Pension plan with matched employer contribution up to 7.5%
Yearly wellbeing fund
Income protection
Holiday purchase
Life insurance
Critical illness insurance
Private GP services
Travel insurance
Dental coverage
Cycle to work
Holiday purchase (available during annual enrolment)
This role reports to
Chief Innovation OfficerEqual Opportunities
White & Case is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm’s policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.
If you require assistance and/or adjustment to participate in our application and/or interview process, please email us. We will be happy to work with you.
The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.
The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.
Note to Recruitment Agencies
Our internal Recruitment team manages all aspects of lateral hiring. All agencies must have signed terms of business—specific to the relevant office—before submitting any candidates. CVs or applications sent directly to White & Case partners or employees will also not be considered formal introductions. If you have questions, please contact the relevant Recruitment team. We work with our preferred suppliers when engaging agencies.