Head of Corporate Knowledge (Knowledge Lawyer / PSL)

ROLE OVERVIEW //

We are looking for an experienced Knowledge Lawyer, or PSL, to lead our Corporate and M&A Knowledge team.

Our lawyers are among the brightest legal minds in the world. The breadth and depth of our firm’s collective knowledge – its expertise, insight and experience – is an essential element of the outstanding service we provide to our clients.

Based in the London office, the new Head of Corporate Knowledge will manage a team of eight Knowledge Lawyers, taking the lead on the continued development and implementation of the group’s knowledge strategy. The role will report to the Corporate Knowledge Partner, and work closely with the firm’s Director of Knowledge and Learning. The Knowledge team is supported by specialist Knowledge & Information officers, Knowledge paralegals and a team EA, together with additional support from the firm’s central Knowledge and Learning department.

The successful individual will be responsible for ensuring that the Corporate Knowledge team is integrated closely with the practice, identifying the need for, and driving, change where necessary. They should be strategic, innovative, and committed to ensuring the firm maintains the technical excellence it is known for, through the creation of knowledge assets, impactful training and thought leadership initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES //

The key responsibilities of this role are set out below and there may be others which are not listed. You may be required on occasion to work outside our normal working hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm.

Strategy and Horizon Scanning

Working with partners, the Director of K&L, and other key practice support groups to:

• Shape and implement the group’s knowledge strategy, in support of the firm’s priorities and objectives and in line with our wider approach to knowledge management.
• Lead horizon scanning and thought leadership initiatives, anticipating the future knowledge needs and capabilities of the group’s fee earners and its clients, and developing content, assets and training to address these.
• Keep up to date with Corporate and M&A market practice, as well as legal knowledge trends and developments, through a strong professional network of contacts.
• Drive and support continuous improvement within the Corporate Knowledge team promoting innovation and legal technology and acting as an ambassador and role model for firmwide initiatives.

Technical Expertise

• Maintain a comprehensive technical expertise in the practice area, advising partners and other fee earners on complex or emerging areas of law with astute commentary and judgement.
• Work with the L&D team to ensure the design and delivery of impactful, accessible and timely legal training for both internal and external audiences.
• Have a strong understanding of knowledge management best practice, ensuring the effective capture, curation and dissemination of know how and content.

Leadership and Management

• Champion our culture of continuous learning and technical excellence, promoting and role modelling behaviour in accordance with the firm’s culture and values at all times.
• Provide clear and inspirational leadership, and effective performance management, to the Corporate Knowledge team, developing and maximising individual and team capabilities.
• Lead and foster a positive working environment through creating, building and sustaining open and collaborative relationships across the firm, including with our Commercial, K&L and Legal Risk and Compliance teams.

CANDIDATE PROFILE //

Candidates for this position must:

• Have excellent technical academic credentials with significant relevant practice experience.
• Be strategic, analytical and solutions focused, able to manage and deliver competing priorities and projects.
• Have experience of leading and managing the performance of direct reports, with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team whilst in a leadership role.
• Be able to build strong business relationships with internal and external contacts at all levels.
• Be confident, proactive and resilient, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, spoken and presentational), as well as strong influencing skills and outstanding attention to detail.

We welcome applications irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, belief or marital status.