About Gowling WLG

We have more than 1,400 legal professionals working around the world. Our offices span across 19 cities in Canada, the UK, Continental Europe, Asia and the Middle East. There's strength in our global presence – we embrace our differing cultures and work together as one team. We also understand the importance of investing in relationships that build knowledge and trust, while we provide legal advice that's tailored to our clients' world.

'Our people and distinct culture are what makes us different. We know this through client and employee feedback and this drives everything we do'' Chris Oglethorpe, HR Director.

There are great opportunities for all our people to flourish. Through training and personal development they can grow in their role. Our people are the cornerstone of our success, across legal, business support and early talent. We care about their happiness and believe in the power of teamwork. We want them to feel empowered and recognise that by supporting, respecting and embracing everyone's different contributions we achieve more.

Working flexibly, working fairly

Agile working offers people more freedom and flexibility in where, when, and how they work. As technology advances and our workforce becomes more diverse – and with clients often working to a 24/7 rhythm – having extra flexibility is key to helping us balance work and other commitments sensibly and productively.

By supporting people to choose where and when they get their work done, we help them to make a full and fair contribution to their team – while maintaining that all important work-life balance.

Where possible and depending on business needs, we will consider all flexible working options such as part-time working, job sharing, working from home and staggered hours. If in considering a role with Gowling WLG you favour flexibility in your working arrangements, please discuss this with the recruitment team in the early stages of the application process. 

Main Purpose of the Job

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Knowledge Management to lead the design and delivery of a distinctive Knowledge Management offering that aligns to the Firm's strategy, and distinguishes us from our competitors. As the figurehead for knowledge within the Firm, you will lead the Knowledge Management team and collaborate with our clients, board members and partners, working alongside our international offices, business services teams and the wider knowledge management community. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

Strategy

• Strategic and operational responsibility for the development and implementation of the knowledge strategy in line with the firm's business strategy.

• Promotion of a knowledge sharing culture across the Firm and with Clients.

• Acting as an ambassador and figurehead for knowledge within the Firm.

• Ongoing development of client facing Knowledge initiatives, working closely with Practice Group Leaders, Sector Heads, BD and the Knowledge Delivery Group.

• Strategic development of Knowledge processes and procedures that are transparent and add value to the business.

• The leadership of initiatives to promote the standing of the Knowledge function internally within the firm.

• Leadership of the central knowledge team (including ILS or client intelligence unit) and performance management through the establishment of policy, strategic targets and measures that provide tangible demonstration of continuous performance improvement of that team.

• Lead role, in liaison with IT, in identifying appropriate technology based systems to support effective knowledge sharing and development across the firm.

• Horizon scanning to the latest thinking in Knowledge is constantly reviewed and strategies are evolved accordingly.

Professional Support Lawyers

• Inspiring and leading the PSL population through clear articulation of the knowledge strategy and their role in fulfilling that strategy. 

• Matrix performance management of the PSLs, including PSL career development.

• Overseeing the firm's technical training strategy development and delivery.

• Developing the cross Firm knowledge community (Knowledge Futures) through facilitating communication and coordination between PSL’s, ILS BIS, HR and Business Development teams.

ILS/client intelligence unit

• Leadership of the central knowledge team (including ILS or client intelligence unit) and performance management through the establishment of policy, strategic targets and measures that provide tangible demonstration of continuous performance improvement of that team.

Precedents

• Design of our precedent management strategy and policy.

• Management of all compliance issues in relation to Knowledge ensuring appropriate compliance with legislation, codes, directives and regulations.

Qualifications

Key skills and experience

Skills -  You will:

• Have outstanding Leadership skills including the ability to effectively inspire, engage and influence stakeholders at all levels

• Demonstrate a restless curiosity to ensure our Knowledge Management offering remains current and leading edge.

• Be an effective change agent, able to win hearts and mind and well versed in change management methodologies

• An outstanding communicator with a passion for Knowledge

• Be creative and able to handle ambiguity and complexity driven by the changing legal services landscape.

• Demonstrate resilience in the face of conflicting demands.

• Have a strong understanding of relevant technologies.

• Be a strong collaborator.

• Have a good grasp of budgets, KPI's and the ability to demonstrate added value.

Experience – You will:

• Be a seasoned senior leader with in-depth experience of Knowledge Management ideally across multiple sectors, ideally including legal.

• Have an extensive track record of developing, deploying and measuring the effectiveness of Knowledge Management strategies and plans.

• Reported to and effectively influenced senior leaders.

• Have a strong knowledge of the understanding and needs of professional services firms and their key clients.

• Led teams supporting international offices and developed a strong cultural awareness.

• Experience of delivering Knowledge Management offerings to clients.

• A recognised expert and role model to others.

Equal Opportunities

Gowling WLG is committed both to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment.  The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re-assignment and gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity.  This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment.

At Gowling WLG we seek to attract and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, to create an exciting and rewarding place to work.  Our aim is to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals.