Simmons and Simmons are looking to recruit a Pro Bono Manager to be based in either our London or Bristol office. The Pro Bono Manager reports to the Pro Bono Partner and collaborates across practices to direct, manage and expand the Firm's pro bono practice within the Firm's UK, Europe, Middle East and Asia offices.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Managing the firm's global pro bono practice across the UK, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, including fostering pro bono engagement and developing the practice.
• Establishing and maintaining ties in each market with key community partners, including pro bono clearinghouses, non-profits and non governmental organisations.
• Chairing International Pro Bono Committee meetings to set strategic direction of the pro bono practice.
• Developing new office-specific pro bono projects and cross-office pro bono initiatives and maintaining/expanding existing pro bono programmes.
• Advising clients and acting as a supervising solicitor where appropriate.
• Supervising the triaging of new requests for pro bono assistance (including liaising with risk management), and the tracking and monitoring of pro bono matters.
• Developing and managing pro bono partnerships with the firm's commercial clients.
• Managing internal and external pro bono communications.
• Supervising the drafting of award submissions and external reporting.
• Communicating pro bono opportunities and liaising with pro bono partners to staff matters.
• Managing and participating in internal and external pro bono events / training sessions to promote skill development and pro bono participation.
• Representing the firm within the professional pro bono community and participating in suitable initiatives developed by, or in partnership with, that community.
• Participating in recruitment initiatives and delivering inductions to new members of staff.
• Supervising and managing the Pro Bono Lawyer and secretarial support staff.
• Liaising with the Responsible Business partners and the Head of Responsible Business on joint initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

• Educated to degree level, or equivalent
• A qualified lawyer with practicing certificate with at least four years PQE (admittance in England & Wales preferred but another jurisdiction acceptable)
• Experience of two years in a similar or comparable role

Person specification

• Expertise in an area of public interest, human rights or social welfare law
• Working familiarity with the pro bono sector and issues pertaining to the sector
• Experience collaborating with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders and ability to build strong relationships locally and internationally
• Strong leadership skills and experience of managing large projects
• Exceptional people management skills, including the ability to develop individuals and lead by example
• Extremely organised, can work under pressure and prioritise effectively
• Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Here at Simmons & Simmons

We believe our people define us. Our working environment is genuinely collegiate with a supportive atmosphere and team ethos - we have a reputation for being a friendly culture which we are very proud of. An inclusive and diverse culture, our innovative approach and being truly international are just a few more things that make us, us.

• Competitive Offer Package including bonus's dependant on role/level, private medical insurance & pension contribution to name a few.
• Dress 'for your day' Code.
• Hybrid working approach of 2 days a week required in the office with flexibility dependant on role/team/client demands.
• A wide range of international offices including: Hong Kong; Dubai; Tokyo; Dublin; Milan; Bristol; Madrid; Singapore.
• All offices have their own artwork collections - with a Damien Hurst and a Tracey Emin in the London office. We have a long standing history in supporting the art community especially up and coming artists.
• The creation of Simmons & Simmons Solutions - bringing together the best legal advice from our established legal teams with non-traditional capabilities that enhance, expand and differentiate the Simmons offering.
• We were ranked as a Times Top 50 Employer for Women and Top 30 Employer for Working Families in 2020.
• We have Social and Sport Committees contributing to Xmas & Summer parties, end of month drinks and various sporting events.
• We also have a range of Diversity Network Groups including LGBT+, Emerge (Race & Ethnicity) and The Number One Club (Women's network) who have organised various talks and events firmwide.