Director of Knowledge & Innovation

The Director will oversee and manage our Knowledge and Innovation Attorneys team who are supporting various practice groups with their knowledge management and innovation needs. This is a strategic and management role requiring strong leadership skills.

In this capacity, the Director, Knowledge and Innovation will:

Strategic Leadership and Team Management

• Set the knowledge management strategy and priorities at the Firm and ensure the KIA team is meeting those strategic goals and delivering results to practice groups at a high standard of excellence;
• Manage the KIA team, including annual performance evaluations and regular check-ins to guide and support the team;
• Build strong relationships with practice group leaders throughout the Firm to assess and understand each practice group’s knowledge and innovation needs and work with KIAs to define and implement plans to meet those needs in a way that is holistic and consistent across the Firm;
• Ensure that knowledge systems are responsive to the Firm’s strategies and enable the more efficient practice of law and enhanced client service;
• Promote knowledge and innovation services/resources offered at the Firm, collaborating closely with our Change Management team and relevant stakeholders;
• Enhance visibility and value of the KIA team, promoting their services around knowledge sharing, legal developments and market trends, substantive training, and innovative technology solutions; and
• Work beyond scheduled hours as necessary; travel as needed.

Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Ensure the KIA team is addressing their practice groups’ knowledge needs by developing and executing on a strategic plan to meet those needs;
• Ensure the KIA team is curating, collecting, maintaining, and making accessible knowledge assets for practice groups to enhance efficiency in legal service delivery;
• Ensure the Firm’s experience platform (Foundation) and custom matter intelligence dashboard is stood up and maintained for all practice groups;
• Develop and implement creative and effective strategies to promote and encourage use of the Firm’s knowledge systems and resources;
• Identify practice pain points and use cases for legal technology tools, and recommend solutions, and contribute to the design and/or customization of legal tech solutions, including facilitating administration of pilot plans or proofs of concept, communicating and driving adoption around launch of new solutions;
• Help evaluate emerging technologies and propose their potential applications in legal processes;
• Participate in the continuous development of internal policies and processes to foster innovation and best practice KM;
• Foster relationships with industry peers, legal technology providers, and other stakeholders; and
• Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices, and recommend and implement improvements for Firms systems and processes, around knowledge, legal technology, and innovation.

Proficiencies:

• Prior experience as a practicing attorney in a law firm (required);
• Prior experience in a knowledge management function (required);
• Advanced knowledge of the workflows and core needs of practicing lawyers (required);
• Prior experience leading and managing teams in legal ecosystem (preferred);
• Experience with legal innovation practices, including artificial intelligence applied to knowledge management (preferred);
• Advanced proficiency in document management search functionality and systems;
• Competency with firm software programs, including Foundation by Litera (preferred);
• Advanced proficiency in change management, project management and process improvement;
• Strong communication skills;
• Commitment to collaboration, client service, and superior execution;
• Ability to handle multiple projects, and prioritize effectively;
• High Ability to work independently, and collaborate as a team member; and
• Desire for continuous learning, demonstrating a clear interest in, and ability to adapt to, new technologies.

Qualifications:

• Law degree and current bar admission or equivalent in the jurisdiction of the Firm office (required);
• Experience in a knowledge management role and/or legal innovation practices (required);
• At least 5 years of legal practitioner experience;
• At least 8 years of experience in a strategic role and/or supervisory experience;
• At least 15 years of work experience in a law firm or professional services industry; and
• Advanced knowledge of vendor management/procurement standards and practices.