Information Governance Manager

The Information Governance (IG) Manager is responsible for managing processes and delivering services to promote and ensure awareness, implementation, compliance, and continuous improvement of the Firm’s IG Program. The IG Manager is responsible for simultaneously leading and executing a broad range of strategic projects and initiatives governing the Firm’s client and administrative information in compliance with ethical, regulatory and contractual requirements.  The IG manager will assess and identify information governance risks and lead the development of strategies to mitigate information risks.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee document and document access management system (currently Wall Builder) for proper creation and maintenance of ethical, confidential and contractor screens. Develop or refine quality control procedures.
• Manage process for permitting and monitoring non-employee access to firm information systems.
• Manage the system (currently Activity Tracker) and process to monitor data loss from the various information repositories for inappropriate use or exports. Work closely with IT Security on the process to investigate, escalate, and resolve violations.
• Conduct IG compliance assessments to measure compliance with requirements and the effectiveness of internal controls to mitigate risk to acceptable levels. Work with Firm management to address issues identified from compliance assessments. Propose recommendations for the resolution of issues considerate of resource constraints, the Firm’s culture and risk tolerance. Oversee action plans to mitigate identified risks.
• Create and maintain compliance procedures, documentation, educational materials, and a portfolio of internal controls pertaining to IG requirements.
• Lead strategic projects relating to records and information governance, in accordance with the Firm’s policies, and in alignment with industry leading practices.
• Proactively monitor outside counsel guidelines, conflict waivers, ethical screens, protective orders, etc. for requirements pertaining to information governance. Develop recommendations for processes, procedures and education to comply with requirements.
• Proactively monitor domestic and international requirements such as federal regulations, state laws, bar opinions, law society guidance, rules for professional conduct, code of professional responsibility, etc. for requirements pertaining to information governance. Develop recommendations for processes, procedures and education to comply with requirements.
• Assist attorneys and Firm management with identifying and containing risks relating to information management and fostering a compliance culture in regards to information governance.
• Serve as subject matter expert and internal consultant to practice groups and Firm administrative departments on information governance issues and challenges.
• Contribute responses on IG topics to client requests for proposal, partner inquiries and other internal and external requests for information.
• Author, procure, review and maintain current, high quality information governance policy, procedures, standards and guidelines documentation.
• Develop strategies for the organization and classification of unstructured data.
• Track key performance indicators and prepare reports for Director of Records Management and other Firm management to provide insights into IG compliance and issue management.
• Provide subject matter expertise, guidance, technical assistance, and training to support leading practices in accordance with established IG policies and procedures.
• Oversee project management activities for multi-year, strategic information governance initiatives that may span multiple offices, practice areas and/or administrative departments and involve direct interactions with partners, senior administrative management.
• Enable IG policy and procedure development and IG training, communication and awareness activities.
• Maintain awareness of changes affecting law firm records management and information governance. Educate partners and Firm management so that they may better serve their clients and meet their ethical obligations.
• May hire, develop, and supervise others and conduct performance reviews.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience: 

Required:

• College degree or equivalent in position-related educational courses and seminars.
• Minimum of five years of records management, information management, library science, litigation support or IT experience, preferably in a professional services firm.
• At least two years of experience managing a team or business process.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate processes, determine gaps, and oversee resolution as required.
• Sound judgment in the handling of sensitive and confidential information.
• Proficient in records, document or content management applications such as iManage.

Preferred:

• Professional certification as an Information Governance Professional, Electronic Records Master or Certified Records Manage preferred. Other relevant certifications a plus.
• Active participation in professional development activities such as ARMA International, AIIM or Information Governance Institute (IGI).
• Understanding of basic project management methodologies.
• Ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language.