Portfolio Lead (Information Management Systems)

Lewis Silkin works with leading businesses to protect and enhance their most important assets - their ideas, their people, their brand and their future. We call it: Ideas. People. Possibilities.

With offices in London, Oxford, Manchester, Cardiff, Belfast, Dublin and Hong Kong, we are recognised by clients and industry alike as being distinct for our unique culture, market-leading practice areas, sector focused approach and for providing solutions to complex, multijurisdictional business challenges, with a pragmatic and human touch. We have two things at our core: people — both ours and our clients’— and a focus on creative, tech and innovative businesses.

Our culture is encapsulated by an ethos of bravery and kindness, guided by our values of Integrity, Clarity, Unity and Excellence (our ‘I-CUE’). We aim to provide a supportive environment for our people, clients and wider community and embrace diversity & inclusion, ensuring people are able to bring their full selves to work.

Working within the IT Team and reporting to the Head of Product Portfolio, the Portfolio Lead’s role is to supervise and maintain the organization’s repository of software applications for Information Management through best practices and the appropriate staffing and management of a technical team. The Portfolio Lead is also responsible for planning and coordinating the processes required for the provision of user applications and systems necessary for business operations. This individual will apply proven communication and problem-solving skills to guide and assist the user group on issues related to the design, development, and deployment of mission-critical Information Management Software Systems.

Strategy & Planning

• Ensure that applications meet business requirements and systems goals for Information Management, fulfill end-user requirements, identify and resolve systems issues.
• Review and analyze existing applications effectiveness and efficiency, developing strategies for retiring those of limited use, and improving value from current systems.
• Cultivate and disseminate knowledge of application-usage best practices.

Acquisition & Deployment

• Research and make recommendations on software products and services in support of procurement and development efforts in Information Management Systems.
• Evaluate, install, configure, and deploy new applications, systems software, products, and/or enhancements to existing applications for Information Management Systems.
• Analyze documentation and technical specifications of any new application under deployment or consideration to determine its intended functionality.
• Ensure that any new software integration into firm systems meets functional requirements, system compliance, and interface specifications.
• Establish KPIs for the portfolio, actively seek and respond to feedback from users.
• Manage application enhancements and upgrades in line with firm policy.
• Coordinate feasibility studies for software and system products under consideration for purchase, and give advice based on findings.
• Contribute to pre-testing phase of development by evaluating proposals to identify potential problem areas and make the appropriate recommendations.
• Negotiate contracts with software and service providers.
• Liaise with company’s software suppliers for prompt rectification of any problems or emergencies.

Operational Management

• Manage and provide direction for Product Specialists in support of business operations.
• Liaise with the wider Technology team to assist with quality assurance, program logic, and data processing.
• Compile and maintain inventory of Information Management Systems software and systems assets and their corresponding contracts/agreements.
• Develop and communicate training and documentation for end users, hold clinics as necessary, and other user-related activities.
• Develop, distribute, and coordinate in-depth end-user reviews for modified and new systems or applications.

Experience and Skills Required

• Experienced in managing applications and/or systems management.
• Proven experience in overseeing the direction, development, and implementation of software solutions.
• Direct, hands-on experience with automated software management tools.
• Strong knowledge of system and software quality assurance best practices and methodologies.
• Experience with core software applications for Information Management Systems including Document Management Systems, M365 suite and SharePoint. Experience with Power Platform would also be advantageous
• Good project management skills and/or substantial exposure to project-based work structures.
• Experience of working in a legal or professional services environment would be beneficial.

At Lewis Silkin our ethos is simple. We strive to do the best for our clients, our people and the communities in which we operate. We recognise that an inclusive workplace allows for all kinds of ideas and thoughts, a variety of points of view that can trigger discussions or deliver innovative results, and a wide range of versatile skills and expertise. We are proud of the diversity within Lewis Silkin and of our culture that allows people to be themselves at work, ensuring we provide the best possible service to our clients. We are committed to finding the right person for this role and are open to discussing flexible working patterns and office location.