Kennedys, Greater London, England, United Kingdom

Overview

The Global Director of Knowledge & AI acts in a leadership capacity within Kennedys' global Knowledge team, working closely with the Chief Knowledge Officer to shape and execute the firm's knowledge strategy worldwide. This senior leadership role involves managing a diverse, cross-jurisdictional team of knowledge lawyers, managers, and advisors, while driving innovation—particularly in AI and digital transformation—to drive value for lawyers, clients, and the firm. The Global Director will oversee the delivery of strategic global projects, fostering collaboration across Business Services teams, and embedding a culture of knowledge-sharing and technological innovation across all regions.

The Knowledge Management team is comprised of Knowledge Lawyers, Information Services Professionals and Knowledge Advisors, and is supported by Knowledge Assistants. The team procures and curates knowledge assets and information, champions a knowledge sharing culture across the firm, oversees legal training (internal and client facing), and ensures that all legal teams are kept up to date with developments in the law and practice. The Knowledge Management team leads innovation and technology projects across the firm in collaboration with IT, BD, Risk & Compliance, and legal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a key member of the Knowledge Management Leadership team and set the strategic direction in line with the firm's Knowledge Management and innovation goals
• Shape and execute a forward-looking knowledge management strategy that leverages AI and emerging technologies to enhance legal practice and client service
• Collaborate with the Chief Knowledge Officer to lead firmwide knowledge priorities and strategic programmes (e.g. AI, digital transformation, legal training, and content) and implementation
• Act as a senior ambassador for the value of knowledge at partner and leadership levels across practice groups and jurisdictions
• Foster an innovation mindset across the firm, encouraging adoption of AI tools, automation, and collaboration platforms in line with agreed strategic direction

Required Experience

• Significant experience in a knowledge leadership or senior knowledge lawyer role within a law firm
• Strong understanding of AI
• Experience of using and implementing legal tech, AI, and matter management tools
• Experience of supporting and driving legal technology adoption, AI tool rollouts, and coordinating change management
• Strong people leadership skills with proven experience managing distributed, cross-jurisdictional teams
• Excellent understanding of legal practice, law firm operations, and the value of knowledge in legal service delivery
• Strategic mindset and experience translating firm strategy into practical, measurable knowledge programmes
• Confident communicator with strong influencing skills and stakeholder management experience

Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to be made in order to submit your application to Kennedys.

*where a level of experience is indicated, this is a guideline only and represents the amount of time we would usually expect a candidate to accumulate the requisite level of experience. This does not preclude applications from candidates with more or less experience.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

• Law Practice, Legal Services, and Alternative Dispute Resolution

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