The Director of Knowledge Management and Information Systems manages and enhances the intellectual capital of the firm.  He is responsible for developing and implementing knowledge management initiatives to meet the needs of the lawyers and fee earners of the firm and of each practice group.  He also is responsible for the strategic management and ongoing operation of the firm’s information systems and information technology infrastructure.  He reports directly to, and his performance is evaluated by, the Managing Director.

This is a full-time position; but some of the administrative and maintenance responsibilities may be outsourced.

Principal responsibilities

Knowledge management

•               Define the business case for knowledge management initiatives and improvements at the practice group level, including business needs, resource requirements, timing, critical success factors, and performance measurements.

•               Design and implement knowledge management systems, procedures, and initiatives firm-wide and for each of the firm’s practice groups.

•               Meet regularly with lawyers and other fee earners to review the progress of knowledge management improvements in each practice group and to identify and define current and future needs.

•               Assist the Business Development Manager in promoting the firm’s knowledge management capabilities to clients and prospective clients, as part of the firm’s differentiating competitive advantages.

•               Identify opportunities to link clients to the practice group initiatives through knowledge management products and services that the firm can provide to clients.

•               Raise awareness throughout the firm about knowledge management concepts, strategies, and methods.

Strategic information systems

•               Develop and propose a strategic information systems management plan for the firm, to be approved by the Managing Director.

•               Advise the General Manager and Managing Director on the selection of software applications and software support, and assist as directed in the acquisition or licensing negotiations.

•               Manage help desk services for end users.

•               Supervise the Records Manager in the performance of his duties.

Network administrator duties

It is anticipated that most of these functions will be outsourced to an information technology specialist working under the supervision of the Director of Knowledge Management & Information Systems.

•               Manage servers, including e-mail, print, and backup servers and their associated operating systems and software.

•               Manage security solutions, including firewall, anti-virus, and intrusion detection systems.

•               Manage all network hardware and equipment.

•               Oversee installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of end user workstation hardware, software, and peripheral devices.

•               Ensure network connectivity of all workstations.

•               Administer all equipment, hardware and software upgrades.

•               Perform network design and capacity planning.

•               Conduct research on network products, services, protocols, and standards in support of network procurement and development efforts.

•               Assist the Facilities Coordinator and the General Manager in the interaction and negotiation with vendors and contractors to secure network products and services.

•               Develop, implement and maintain policies, procedures and associated training plans for network resource administration, appropriate use, and disaster recovery.

•               Practice network asset management, including maintenance of network component inventory and related documentation and technical specifications information.

•               Administer and maintain end user accounts, permissions, and access rights.

•               Perform server and security audits.

•               Perform system backups and recovery.

•               Monitor and test network performance and provide network performance statistics and reports.

•               Recommend, schedule, and perform network improvements, upgrades, and repairs.

Required education and experience

A fully-qualified occupant of this position possesses these educational and experience credentials:

•               A university degree in business administration, management, or some other related business discipline; and

•               At least three years successful experience in a knowledge management. document management, management information systems, or information

Required skills and competencies

To perform the responsibilities of this position at a satisfactory level, an information systems specialist must demonstrate mastery of these business skills and competencies on a regular, frequent basis:

•               Application support experience with the firm’s operating system, office software suite, accounting software, case management system, and other database applications

•               Working technical knowledge of current network hardware, protocols, and standards

•               An understanding of the firm’s business goals and their implications for information systems support

•               Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws

•               Ability to conduct research into networking issues and products as required

•               Ability to provide practical guidance to end users in terms that they can understand

•               Self-directed initiative required to detect and diagnose technical problems that no one else in the firm may have noticed

•               Very close attention to detail, supported by proven analytical and problem-solving abilities

•               The ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment

•               Strong customer service orientation with respect to serving the needs of the firm and its employees