Director of Information Governance

Company: Davis Wright Tremaine
Location: Seattle
Posted on: November 6, 2024

Job Description:

Description
This is an exciting opportunity to work for one of the top law firms in the U.S.! Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is looking for a Director, Information Governance to join our team in our Seattle, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Portland, Chicago, Washington D.C. or Richmond offices.
This position offers the flexibility to be fully remote while working within reasonable commuting distance from any of our offices.
This position is responsible for the firm-wide development, implementation and compliance of policies and protocols relating to information created or received through any channel (legal or firm administration) of the firm. Establishes future direction and plans concerning information governance for the firm to meet compliance requirements and improvements based on best practices. The Director will work with the firm's General Counsel's office to manage and deploy the policies, procedures, training, and systems necessary to support and continuously improve a comprehensive Information Governance program for the firm. With oversight from the firm's General Counsel's office, the Director will have firm-wide responsibility and day-to-day oversight for the governance of electronic and physical records. The Director will supervise, train and provide leadership for the administrative staff responsible for records and information management across the Firm.
At Davis Wright Tremaine, you will find challenging assignments, opportunities for professional growth and community involvement, and a culture of inclusion. DWT fosters inclusiveness and authenticity. Regardless of position, everyone here has a voice and the support is unparalleled.
On a typical day you will:

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• Develop and implement a strategic plan that supports the firm's information governance, recommends to senior executives, implements and evangelizes as appropriate.
  
• Develop and update information governance policies including a written Firm-wide information governance policy, records retention schedule, and information classification and security policy.
  
• Develop, disseminate, and assure compliance with policies related to firm-wide risk management, including retention and disposition of firm and client records, litigation holds, and file transfers.
  
• Collaborate with Information Systems/Technology colleagues (especially Digital Collaboration, Security, Practice Support, Knowledge Management, and the Enterprise Project Management Office) to achieve information governance awareness and compliance. Participate in firm-wide projects that involve information governance.
  
• Propose and participate in analysis with regard to new technology and continuous improvements of existing technology.
  
• Interface with recruiting to ensure smooth onboarding of new attorneys, including transfer of incoming client files associated with lateral attorney hires.
  
• Perform administrative and management duties (recruiting, hiring, training, coaching, performance planning and evaluations, corrective actions, etc.) associated with leading teams of professionals engaged in managing firm and client information, new business intake, and information governance-related risk-management procedures.
  
• Work with firm/department management and attorneys from various practice groups to develop, implement and oversee the retention schedule. Provide guidance for systematic control of the content under said schedule.
  
• Stay current with legal industry trends and technologies, standards, and local and federal regulatory obligations as they affect information governance for the practice of law and the administrative functions of the firm.
  
• Participate in the information governance boards such as the Quality Assurance and Artificial Intelligence Committees as appropriate.
  
• Interface with the firm's general counsel and senior risk managers to identify and contain internal and external risks with regard to information governance.
  
• Design, promote, and assure compliance with protocols for content management and user workflow with regard to information created or received by the firm.
  
• Initiate standardized information governance practices, write documentation, and manage implementation through information governance resources across the firm.
  
• Promote an increased use and reliance on electronic versions of records over the physical in efforts to reduce the overall paper inventory retained by the firm.
  
• Provide training for senior executives, lawyers, and staff with regard to compliance with information governance policies and procedures.
  
• Provide and model service excellence to internal and external clients of the information governance department across the firm.
  
• Act as principal contact for information governance program related vendors. Coordinate with vendors providing records and information management services to ensure service level agreements are being fulfilled. Maintain vendor relationships.
  
• Participate in the budget process and other special projects and/or support as required.
  
• Prepare regular status reports (verbal or written) on metrics, team activities, projects, and other initiatives. Prepare written documentation, proposals, and/or recommendations. Make presentations as needed.
  
• Travel, as necessary.
  
  Join us if you have:
  
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  • BA or BS degree required. Master's degree preferred.
    
  • Certified Records Manager (CRM), Information Governance Professional (IGP) or similar certificate preferred.
    
  • Strong, proven leadership skills acquired from at least eight years' experience as a Records and/or Information Manager/Supervisor. Direct supervisory experience of teams from 10-15 people in size required.
    
  • Experience with records management systems and document management systems.
    
  • Experience with the governance of M365, especially Microsoft Teams, strongly preferred.
    
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of electronic records management.
    
  • Experience developing and implementing information governance policies and procedures.
    
  • Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written, with all levels of a professional services organization are required.
    
  • Ability to work collaboratively, building consensus across multiple practices, departments, and offices.
    
  • Strong customer service skills while working under pressure.
    
  • Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills required.
    
  • Strong systems analysis and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and quality control.
    
  • Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
    
  • Must be a team player and willing to share information with others.
    
  • Strong decision-making, follow-up, follow-through, priority setting, and negotiating skills are required.
    
  • Ability to work independently, with minimum supervision.
    
  • Previous experience in a law firm or professional services organization, supporting a multi-office environment, preferred.
    
    Who We Are
    Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with 11 offices nationwide. We are relentlessly committed to client service and look for candidates who share that commitment.
    What's in it For You?
    DWT offers competitive compensation in addition to ample benefits including but not limited to:
    
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    • Choice of health and vision insurance plans.
      
    • 2 paid volunteer days for qualifying community service work.
      
    • Dental plan.
      
    • Fertility and adoption benefit.
      
    • Paid sabbatical after 13 years of service.
      
    • Tuition reimbursement.
      
    • Commuter benefits.
      
    • Retirement contribution.
      
      This job description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.
      Washington State
      The annualized salary range for this position in Washington is $179,000 to $206,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on the candidate's education, training, experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.
      California
      The annualized salary range for this position in Los Angeles is $179,000 to $206,000; and in San Francisco is $203,000 to $229,000.
      New York
      The annualized salary range for this position in New York City is $203,000 to $229,000.
      District of Columbia
      The annualized salary range for this position in Washington D.C. is $195,000 to $221,000.
      Diversity, equity, and inclusion are part of the fabric of Davis Wright Tremaine - central to who we are and what we do. Our vision is to foster a culture where all talented individuals can have, and can see, a path to success.
      Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons. If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email humanresources_confidential@dwt.com.
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Keywords: Davis Wright Tremaine, Seattle Hill-Silver Firs , Director of Information Governance, Executive , Seattle, Washington