Director of Knowledge and Practice Innovation

Job Description Summary :

Fenwick is seeking a Director of Knowledge and Practice Innovation who will lead the firm’s overall Knowledge and Innovation function and will be responsible for executing Knowledge & Innovation strategy at Fenwick that improves efficiency and attorney experience across all practices and departments.

Under direction of the Senior Director of Practice Management, this position will be a collaborative leader working well with all practice groups and functional departments, who has strong operational and technical skills and can maintain a big picture view of the firm’s business and can provide direction, inspiration and experience to Knowledge & Innovation Attorneys and other technical professionals.

This position can be based in any of our office locations.

Job Description :

The Director of Knowledge and Practice Innovation will :

• Along with the Practice Group Leaders, COO, and Senior Director of Practice Management, lead the firm-wide practice technologies function to ensure optimal services are provided to meet the needs of the firm.
• Provide technology expertise and guidance to firm leadership and oversee the development of guidelines and best practices for practice group technologies.
• Along with the Practice Group Leaders, create the overall practice innovation strategy and develop, strategies for the Knowledge & Innovation function for each practice group.
• Collaborate with other practice group professionals to support the firm’s and the practice group’s strategic objectives, including innovative technology solutions, and other organizational priorities as set forth by practice and practice area leadership.
• Collaboratively lead Innovation Attorneys and related department managers to develop and deliver user centered business solutions which improve practice group and attorney experiences.
• Participate in the committees relating to practice technology, training, communications, and support.
• Lead and manage Knowledge & Innovation team in : Collecting and automating firm documents and processes; driving use of efficiency tools;
• building firm knowledge sharing systems that provide contextual information to fee-earners and clients when and where needed;

integrating, supporting, and coordinating the firm’s knowledge and business processes; building out the firm’s experience management capabilities.

Partner with Practice Group Leaders and Practice Management to recommend and initiate improvements in all knowledge and innovation areas on an ongoing basis.

Specifically, in delivering highest quality knowledge, content and research services to the firm’s practices and clients, ensuring effective sharing of knowledge across all practices and jurisdictions, and identifying and implementing cutting-edge KM platforms to create efficiencies in the practice of law.

Lead a knowledge sharing culture where knowledge is valued and used, and lawyers have the skills to use these resources independently.

Help drive cultural change across the firm, embedding a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and client service.

• Collaborate with the firm’s Legal Personnel and Training department on supporting legal substantive training across the firm’s practices.
• Oversees the negotiation of all vendor contracts within the department.
• Remain current with knowledge trends, legal technology trends, law firm business trends, and legal developments, while promoting this information across the firm and with the senior management team.
• In collaboration with the team and the IT group, assesses all technology used by the practice groups on an ongoing basis.

Also works with IT to evaluate and implement new products and to automate existing processes.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Desired Skills and Qualifications :

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate a high level of competency and knowledge of best practices in each of these areas :

• Strong operational experience with a deep understanding of technology and business process improvement methodologies.
• Aptitude for building relationships and fostering a collaborative approach to working with internal clients across practice groups and departments.
• Experience scaling innovation through process in a professional services firm
• Ability to empathize and engage with attorneys to look at processes and service delivery through a business lens.
• Ability to leverage and grow team members experience around project management, innovation, and process.
• Excellent project management and critical thinking skills with a focus on innovation and change management.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and team leadership skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office and SharePoint.
• Advanced knowledge of relevant technology systems and applications used in law firms and / or legal departments.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Practice Management, the ideal candidate will have 8-10 yeas of explicit knowledge management, operations management, process improvement, marketing operations, legal practice, or legal operations experience in a law firm or corporate setting preferred.

Bachelor’s Degree is required. An advanced degree in a relevant field (MLIS, MBA, JD) is preferred.

Benefits and Compensation Details :

At Fenwick, we believe that our partners and employees are our most important asset. Helping you and your families achieve and maintain good health - physical, emotional, and financial - is the reason we offer a comprehensive benefit program.

We provide benefits to eligible employees under plans such as Healthcare, Life Insurance, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Wellbeing.

The anticipated range for this position is :

$210,000 - $315,000

Depending on the role, the actual base salary offered may depend upon a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and / or from which they will be performing the job.

A discretionary bonus for eligible employees may also be available based on performance. Additional information about employee eligibility for benefits and discretionary bonus will be made available upon request.