Job Description

Knowledge Manager

Job Location

Brussels

Job Category

Business Services

Practice Group

N/A

Support Department

Knowledge Management

Job Title

Knowledge Manager

Description

Role purpose

To develop the local Knowledge strategy in line with and in support of the Firm's global strategy; work with the country Knowledge Partner, local Knowledge team members, and practicing lawyers to implement the Knowledge strategy; act as the primary point of contact for Knowledge support requests and inquiries.

Main responsibilities:

• Work with the Director of Knowledge, Markets & Research and the EMEA+ Senior Knowledge Manager to devise a local Knowledge strategy for the jurisdiction that is fully aligned with the Firm's global strategy; design policies, procedures, and standards to ensure quality parameters are met
• In consultation with the country's Knowledge Partner, drive the implementation of the Knowledge strategy and development of the Knowledge culture in the jurisdiction; appoint Knowledge Champions and liaise with lawyers to support where necessary.
• Build strong relationships with the local lawyers and Knowledge community; act as a single point of contact for any queries or issues, and ensure satisfactory resolution on time; provide all client-facing teams with Knowledge and technical support, within the scope of his/her legal expertise and in line with agreed prioritization.
• Support local lawyers in the implementation of AI, legal tech and other innovations in their practices to increase efficiency and improve client service
• Manage and take accountability for the development and collection of Knowledge content across all practice and industry groups; work with Specialist Functions to ensure all material is stored in appropriate Knowledge systems
• Ensure that an excellent set of core precedents - automated where possible - is in place across all practice groups to meet lawyer needs; identify resources to draft them where necessary.
• Identify sector and practice group, and client-specific hot topics for internal and external current awareness and thought leadership; write or commission content in consultation with the Specialist Functions
• Ensure that all Knowledge resources are made available to all lawyers in the jurisdiction and provide training and guidance as appropriate; regularly review usage statistics and gather feedback to ensure that lawyers' needs are being met
• Take ownership within the jurisdiction of all knowledge systems and drive awareness and adoption; create and maintain appropriate intranet pages to make key resources readily available to users
• Ascertain local legal training needs; plan and execute training programs accordingly, in consultation with the Specialist Legal Training Function; co-ordinate the delivery of client training where required
• Ensure timely fulfilment of all information and research requests and proper workflow management, including effective management of appropriate work priorities and effective communications with lawyers
• In consultation with the Information Product Management Specialist Function, manage the relationships with local vendors to ensure the information needs of the Firm are met
• Monitor developments in knowledge systems and content trends, identify areas for improvement, and work with key stakeholders to implement these

Travel requirements: Limited travel expected

About the team

Function

• The Knowledge function is a Firm-wide team of nearly 300 professionals, including Knowledge Lawyers, Information & Research professionals, and a variety of other functional specialists. The Knowledge function helps the Firm deliver better legal solutions by producing and providing easy access to high-quality, relevant legal information for both lawyers and clients. The focus is on the following areas:
• Content: creating, collecting, and providing access to market-leading precedents, sample documents, practice notes, training materials, and other knowhow for our lawyers and clients, reviewing and updating regularly, to ensure that the content is current and market-leading
• Systems: working with the Technology function to design, develop, and build user-friendly and flexible platforms to store knowhow and deliver it intuitively to lawyers and clients, adopting common systems across all offices and practice/industry groups
• Culture: striving to establish Knowledge as a core part of every lawyer role, engaging actively with all lawyers in the Firm and encouraging them to share their knowhow and expertise with colleagues as openly as possible; embracing a "one team" culture within the Firm's Knowledge community ensuring that all team members create and develop high-quality local content while being aligned with our global strategy and approach

You will report to: EMEA+ Senior Knowledge Manager

Your direct reports, if any: N/A

Key relationships:

• Country Knowledge Partner
• Local PG & IG Leadership
• PG & IG Knowledge Lawyers
• Specialist Knowledge Functions
• Information & Research team

About the candidate

Technical skills, qualifications, and experience:

• Relevant degree, law degree preferred
• Relevant experience of Knowledge Management in a professional services environment
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, build strong relationships virtually, communicate effectively, comfortable working in large, complex environments, highly credible and persuasive.
• Demonstrated ability to drive results and a sense of urgency in setting strategies and executing against the objectives.
• Proven ability to influence, interact, and consult with senior leaders, strong collaboration skills, and effective stakeholder management
• Excellent command of English and preferably Dutch and/or French language skills (verbal and written) and the confidence to communicate in a multi-cultural, multi-level environment.
• Strong communication skills, and highly credible presentation skills

Personal qualities

These personal qualities represent the shared characteristics of high performers across Baker McKenzie, regardless of job level and location.

• Demonstrates the ability to identify the real issue, and to anticipate requirements and potential consequences; distills a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner
• Has the capacity to take on new ideas and develop knowledge and think holistically about business and address media, analyst, employee, and client audiences
• Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge, and expertise, with the agility of mind and capacity for analysis and synthesis

Dedication

• Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds exemplary quality standards
• Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative, and is self-reliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible
• Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands
• Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations

Personal Impact

• Uses complex, coordinated influencing/negotiation strategies, adapted to people, organizations, and/or the situation, e.g. networks
• Builds partnerships based on a common agreement that acknowledges individual differences but creates a new commonality beyond root belief large-scale
• Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships through collaboration and reciprocity
• Negotiates to achieve mutually satisfactory outcomes; shows good judgment on when to stand strong and when to compromise
• Invests in, nurtures, and builds a network of productive relationships

Humanity

• Respectful to others, regardless of their position, and earns the respect of others by being transparent
• Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others as people
• Treats delicate or confidential issues with discretion

About Baker McKenzie

Complex business challenges require an integrated response across different markets, sectors, and areas of law. Baker McKenzie's client solutions provide seamless advice, underpinned by deep practice and sector expertise, as well as first-rate local market knowledge. Across more than 70 offices globally, Baker McKenzie works alongside our clients to deliver solutions for a connected world.

We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people -- regardless of race, religion, or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or age -- to fulfill their professional aspirations with us.

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