Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Global Head of Legal  Knowledge Technologies to join our IT team in the London office.  Occasional travel to other A&O and client offices will be required.

Knowledge Management

Allen & Overy has global, practice and office knowledge strategies all of which are rooted in our global business strategy.  Our global knowledge strategy is centred around driving excellence and efficiency with four particular focus areas: fostering expertise; driving consistency and helping to manage risk; supporting profitability; and enhancing the A&O brand.

Our professional support lawyer (PSL) community, made up of approximately 100 senior lawyers based within practice groups and offices across our global network, is engaged in delivering these knowledge strategies.  Whilst the work of PSLs may focus primarily on the knowledge and training related needs of a particular practice group or office there is a consistent approach taken across the firm in line with our global knowledge strategy, which ensures that PSLs take a global and local perspective, drive innovation, lead the market and add value to client relationships, as well as embedding a collaborative culture.

Department purpose and role structure

Technology is transforming the practice of law, and a new landscape of legal service delivery is emerging, where technology enables instant, far-reaching knowledge retrieval, data-driven processes can deliver efficiencies and analysis, and collaboration is easy and transparent. 

Our Global IT department is at the heart of these developments, working in close partnership with our lawyers and clients in areas such as legal technology and cyber security.  Allen & Overy is regularly placed first in the Financial Times innovation awards. We have worked with teams to develop custom client solutions and the firm is at the forefront of the deployment of new tools including Avvoka, Wizdocs, Legatics, Kira and Relativity One. 

Legal knowledge management and the technologies that support it is an important area of current focus for A&O globally. We are in final stages of deploying a new Document Management system (iManage) with the largest (by volume) global implementation of RAVN search. This search technology has shaped our current thinking about how we deliver knowledge. The successful candidate would join at a time when we are defining our future strategy to exploit the possibilities of available and emerging technologies, particularly the exploitation of data and insight that our lawyers develop in their day-to-day work.      

Given the dual technology and legal knowledge focus for the role, the role reports to A&O’s Chief Technology Officer and a knowledge Partner (Head of ICM Know-How and Training). 

Role purpose

The role of the Head of Legal Knowledge Technologies is to lead and promote the development and adoption of relevant technologies serving the needs of both our lawyers and clients globally, in line with the firm’s IT and knowledge strategies. 

Our legal knowledge systems currently include technologies and related processes for:

• legal knowledge and data capture, collation, classification and publishing, and search;  
• online legal knowledge sharing and collaboration;   
• legal contract drafting (including automated drafting), checking, collaboration, analysis and archiving/reference;  
• legal knowledge-focused platforms and solutions for clients. 

Role and responsibilities

Maintain an expert awareness of innovations and trends in legal knowledge technologies – and use this knowledge to:

• fully leverage the opportunities that a new global DMS with RAVN search technology creates for the way knowledge services are delivered to our lawyers and clients;
• provide strategic direction for the firm's knowledge management technology, ensuring alignment with individual practice group strategies;
• bring renewed focus, energy and delivery in the area of Knowledge Management Technology such that lawyers and clients are able to readily access the firm's knowledge collateral and new solutions and revenue lines are realised;
• build and nurture collaborative relationships with the firm's senior know-how and PSL communities;
• prepare and contribute to strategy papers and discussion concerning legal knowledge technologies and opportunities with the IT Board and other A&O senior leadership fora; 
• partner with colleagues in the CTO’s office and with the Head of Legal Technology to create and maintain legal knowledge technology ‘roadmaps’ and maintain tight linkage with client solution thinking;
• act as sponsor for programmes of work undertaken pursuant to these roadmaps, to ensure both successful initial delivery and sustained value; 
• effectively manage the firm’s portfolio of knowledge technologies;
• be accountable for the budgeting of both project and BAU activity in this area as part of the firm’s global IT budget;
• effectively manage and develop the central knowledge technologies team and partner with key stakeholders across the firm;  
• provide expert advice in this area to A&O legal and support teams globally, and to key clients;
• working with colleagues in IT design and execute business change and adoption campaigns for relevant technologies and ways of working.

Key requirements

Essential

• The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate extensive, highly sophisticated knowledge management experience gained in a global operating environment. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a career characterised by a clear pattern of success and achievement.
• Up to date knowledge of best practice in Knowledge Management with demonstrable evidence of developing strategy and delivering solutions to the Practice and to clients. 
• Excellent industry knowledge (understanding the work and needs of individual lawyers and practice groups and the potential opportunities and cross-overs in developing, adapting and deploying different technologies). 
• A person of sound judgment, able to establish a high degree of credibility with partners, support heads, PSLs and other senior stakeholders and colleagues. 
• Collaborative and inclusive team player with a highly client orientated approach. The successful candidate must be capable and committed to working and supporting colleagues in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment. 
• Excellent presentation, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and sustain strong client and colleague relationships in a global matrix organisation.
• Experience of managing budgets, external consultants and technology providers.  
• Strong and proactive commitment to excellence and execution; dedicated and resilient; solutions-focused, with excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.

Desirable

• Ideally a qualified lawyer (or previously qualified) with top tier international legal practice experience and strong commercial/business acumen.
• Experience of working in more than one jurisdiction.
• Demonstrable evidence of being an active member of the broader knowledge, innovation and technology community in legal and professional services. 

Open Date: 04/09/2019
Closing Date: 02/10/2019
Location: London
Salary: Competitive

Additional information - External

It’s Time
Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. By turning our insight, technology and talent into ground-breaking solutions, we’ve earned a place at the forefront of our industry. Our lawyers are leaders in their field – and the same goes for our support teams. Ambitious, driven and open to fresh perspectives, we find innovative new ways to deliver our services and maintain our reputation for excellence, in all that we do.

The nature of law is changing and with that change brings unique opportunities. With our collaborative working culture, flexibility, and a commitment to your progress, we build rewarding careers. By joining our global team, you are supported by colleagues from around the world. If you’re ready for a new challenge, it’s time to seize the opportunity.