Information Governance Senior Manager

Sidley Austin•Chicago, IL

13d•$165,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager Information Governance is responsible for assisting the Records Management Director in formulating strategy and developing initiatives to implement leading practices and evolve processes. These efforts are intended to maximize business value and visibility of the firm's information while minimizing associated risks and costs. The incumbent will collaborate with key stakeholders, peer departments, firm committees, and practice groups to design and develop practical information governance (IG) policies, processes, solutions and services. The Senior Manager will also promulgate these policies and services to ensure the timely and accurate classification, appropriate access restrictions, protection, retention, and disposition of firm information and client information held by the firm. The incumbent will assess the firm's compliance with ethical, legal, regulatory, contractual and operational requirements governing firm and client information and identify opportunities for policy refinement and enhanced controls. Serve as the primary operational lead for the firm's information governance program, with responsibility for day-to-day execution, issue triage, and prioritization. Act on behalf of the Records Management Director in routine information governance decisions and operational matters, escalating material risks or exceptions as appropriate. Partner with the Director to develop and implement the firm's information governance strategy, including leading practices and methodologies to support the management of firm and client information. Advise on operational and compliance responsibilities related to the lifecycle management of client and administrative records, and oversee a systematic, legally defensible process for the disposition of unneeded information. Collaborate with firm administration and practice groups to identify business requirements and automate information governance processes. Support global project teams in addressing policy questions and interpreting and implementing effective information governance practices. Serve as a champion of current and potential capabilities of NetDocuments (NetDocs), the Firm's document management system, and lead efforts to drive adoption and continuous improvement of NetDocs and related applications. Manage NetDocs cabinet administration and other support activities required for a mission-critical application. Provide high-touch support for lawyers to resolve NetDocs inquiries and issues. Own the ongoing operation and effectiveness of information governance controls, including access restrictions, ethical walls, retention enforcement, and disposition workflows. Identify, assess, and remediate information governance risks, including access control failures, misconfigurations, and process breakdowns, in coordination with IT, OGC, and other stakeholders. Define and promote processes and procedures to improve the performance, stability, and integration of NetDocuments and related third-party applications. Coach, mentor and educate firm personnel to promote awareness of and compliance with firm information governance policies. Develop and execute strategic initiatives and objectives aligned with the firm's information governance priorities. Provide advice and propose solutions for complex and/or technical information governance and/or information technology issues. Responsible for program for securing information to comply with ethical and confidential screens as required to satisfy client or regulatory requirements. Responsible for ensuring that records subject to an Office of General Counsel document hold are identified, preserved, collected and released. Track key performance indicators and prepare executive-level reporting for the Director and firm leadership that highlights risk posture, trends, and decision points.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
A minimum of 10 years records management, information governance, compliance, security or related experience
A minimum of 5 years managerial experience
A minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience delivering process, operational, technical improvements to address process gaps, mitigate risks, and eliminate inefficiencies with how information is acquired, used, stored, retained and disposed
Strong understanding of data privacy and IT security control methodologies
Demonstrated ability to analyze many different types of problems, evaluate potential solutions, make decisions and develop/implement complete and creative solutions
Strong aptitude for information technology to understand and effectively address evolving needs related to electronic records management
Expertise with information governance models and frameworks
Experience operating information governance programs in a large, global law firm or similarly regulated professional services environment.
Demonstrated ability to develop and/or execute on strategic direction and objectives
Advanced skills and understanding of technologies and the underlying process surrounding data and information control
Proficient in technical writing and creation of policies, standards, procedures and guidelines
Strong knowledge of document management systems functionality, including security.
Strong organizational skills
Strong attention to detail
Good judgment
Strong interpersonal communication skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
Able to work under pressure
Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Nice To Haves

Proficient in records or content management applications such as iManage, NetDocs, FileTrail, or LegalKEY
Records Management Professional designation as an Information Governance Professional (IGP), Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), Certified Records Manager (CRM) or similar certification.

Responsibilities

Assist the Records Management Director in formulating strategy and developing initiatives to implement leading practices and evolve processes.
Collaborate with key stakeholders, peer departments, firm committees, and practice groups to design and develop practical information governance (IG) policies, processes, solutions and services.
Promulgate policies and services to ensure timely and accurate classification, appropriate access restrictions, protection, retention, and disposition of firm and client information.
Assess the firm's compliance with ethical, legal, regulatory, contractual and operational requirements governing firm and client information and identify opportunities for policy refinement and enhanced controls.
Serve as the primary operational lead for the firm's information governance program, with responsibility for day-to-day execution, issue triage, and prioritization.
Act on behalf of the Records Management Director in routine information governance decisions and operational matters, escalating material risks or exceptions as appropriate.
Partner with the Director to develop and implement the firm's information governance strategy, including leading practices and methodologies to support the management of firm and client information.
Advise on operational and compliance responsibilities related to the lifecycle management of client and administrative records.
Oversee a systematic, legally defensible process for the disposition of unneeded information.
Collaborate with firm administration and practice groups to identify business requirements and automate information governance processes.
Support global project teams in addressing policy questions and interpreting and implementing effective information governance practices.
Serve as a champion of current and potential capabilities of NetDocuments (NetDocs), the Firm's document management system, and lead efforts to drive adoption and continuous improvement of NetDocs and related applications.
Manage NetDocs cabinet administration and other support activities required for a mission-critical application.
Provide high-touch support for lawyers to resolve NetDocs inquiries and issues.
Own the ongoing operation and effectiveness of information governance controls, including access restrictions, ethical walls, retention enforcement, and disposition workflows.
Identify, assess, and remediate information governance risks, including access control failures, misconfigurations, and process breakdowns, in coordination with IT, OGC, and other stakeholders.
Define and promote processes and procedures to improve the performance, stability, and integration of NetDocuments and related third-party applications.
Coach, mentor and educate firm personnel to promote awareness of and compliance with firm information governance policies.
Develop and execute strategic initiatives and objectives aligned with the firm's information governance priorities.
Provide advice and propose solutions for complex and/or technical information governance and/or information technology issues.
Responsible for program for securing information to comply with ethical and confidential screens as required to satisfy client or regulatory requirements.
Responsible for ensuring that records subject to an Office of General Counsel document hold are identified, preserved, collected and released.
Track key performance indicators and prepare executive-level reporting for the Director and firm leadership that highlights risk posture, trends, and decision points.