Global Assistant Director of Enterprise Data Management and Strategy - Mayer Brown LLP

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial, collaborative, and diverse firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Information Governance department in our Chicago office as a Global Assistant Director of Enterprise Data Management and Strategy.

The Assistant Director of Enterprise Data Management & Strategy will lead the Firm’s global strategic enterprise data management efforts, including leading key initiatives and developing the fundamental data management and process infrastructure the Firm will leverage going forward. Will report to the Firm’s Global Director of Information Governance and Global Chief Knowledge Officer and will actively collaborate with the Firm’s Chiefs, Practice Group Leaders and Business Services teams to develop and implement data-driven strategies to improve operational efficiency, enhance client service and drive business growth. The role involves the hands-on effort in respect to a wide range of foundational work necessary for implementing the Firm’s data strategy including data governance, taxonomy, and process re-engineering.

Essential Functions: 

Management and Leadership

• Builds, manages, and administers cross-functional teams throughout the Firm composed primarily of in-direct reports
• Develops and fosters an environment that rewards strong performance and teamwork, professionalism and responsiveness
• Provides strategic direction and tactical guidance, establishes policies, sets and monitors success metrics, and helps achieve continuous improvement
• Develops and/or leads change management efforts across all phases of projects and initiatives to drive the Firm’s culture of continuous improvement

Enterprise Data Strategy

• Leads the development, implementation, and deployment of strategic enterprise data projects which may cross administrative functions and will require close collaboration with business owners and colleagues across the Firm
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for data-driven insights and solutions that improve the Firm's operations and client services
• Works with cross-functional teams to identify and prioritize data-related initiatives that align with the Firm's strategic objectives
• Presents complex quantitative analysis tailored to different audiences in a highly consumable and actionable form, including using data storytelling techniques
• Leads the Firm’s efforts to develop and implement data schemas and flexible taxonomies to appropriately classify the Firm’s work
• Develops and maintains a deep understanding of the Firm’s data assets, including client data, financial data and operational data
• Maintains and monitors data quality, consistency, and accuracy across all systems and platforms
• Implements and enhances the data strategy to support the Firm's business objectives
• In concert with the Firm’s IT leadership, Global Director of Information Governance and Global Chief Knowledge Officer contributes to the Firm's data architecture, data modeling, and data platforming efforts
• Continuously evaluates emerging technologies and trends to ensure the Firm is adopting best practices and industry standards

Enterprise Data Management

• Develops and implements a data management framework including associated policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines that promote data quality, accuracy, literacy and security consistent with the Firm’s business strategy and objectives
• Partners with the Global Director of Information Governance and Global Chief Knowledge Officer to develop, execute and manage the data management roadmap, and delivering and managing targeted outcomes
• Coordinates and serves as the primary resource for the Firm’s Data Management Committee
• Aligns with the Firm’s information governance framework, to safeguard Firm and client information and ensures compliance with global regulatory requirements and best practices for information retention and disposition
• Monitors and reports on various data management metrics to measure and manage data integrity, accuracy, completeness, compliance and security of the Firm’s data
• Monitors for data impacts as new systems are onboarded, decommissioned and modified
• Strengthens existing data governance and management roles and identifies any new roles required to execute the data strategy

Productivity, Efficiency and Innovation

• Improves the productivity and efficiency in the practice of law and supporting functions within the Firm
• Establishes sustainable processes around the creation, curation, processing, tagging, archiving and integration of data across firmwide systems
• Works closely with process improvement experts to re-engineer processes and identify new processes that can benefit from data automation capabilities
• Drives innovation, continually assessing the market and the Firm’s place in the market and builds knowledge of data-driven capabilities and internal/external technologies that can be leveraged across the Firm, including tools that can normalize, improve, and leverage internal data
• Contributes to building a strategic, cohesive and visible innovation ecosystem that focuses on data, process, technology, and people and helps partners and others to better deliver to clients’ expectations for value, while also delivering to the Firm’s strategic and profitability goals

Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives

Education/Training/Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Information Management, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.

Professional Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience in data management, experience management, analytics, and strategy development, with a focus on the legal industry. Prior experience in a large, international law firm with a broad array of practices is preferred
• Experience in leading and managing a team of data and information professionals and related projects
• Deep understanding of law firm operations preferred and especially enterprise data management
• Experience with core enterprise data building blocks (data warehousing, governance, data schemas and taxonomies, data-focused processes) and data-centric applications (including experience management, CRM, and data analytics tools). Experience delivering timely and actionable insights for the Firm and its clients is a significant plus
• Proven track record of managing teams and leading complex process, change management, and technology projects

Technical Skills: 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
• Experience with data warehousing, ELT, and data visualization and reporting tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or QlikView
• Familiarity with descriptive and predictive analytics and modeling
• Experience with law firm taxonomy projects and sali.org LMSS
• Azure data platforms and data management technologies
• Experience with Data Lake, Data Warehouse, AI technologies

Performance Traits: 

• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to build and lead cross-functional teams, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and present complex data concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on delivering business value through data-driven solutions
• Deep understanding of data analytics, business intelligence, and data management principles
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills

Management Accountabilities:

• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations
• Conducts analysis of staffing levels and participation in the recruitment process
• Able to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficiencies
• Process- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills
• Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner

Physical Requirements:

• May require occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs.

The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401 (k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

Thank you for your interest in Mayer Brown. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request a reasonable accommodation related to the application process and/or job interview, please email uslateralrecruiting@mayerbrown.com. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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