Job Description

Summary

The Records Management Director will lead the strategy governance and execution of the Firms global Records and Information Management (RIM) program. This role translates long-term vision into actionable plans delivers measurable operational and compliance improvements and advances the Firms global approach to managing electronic and physical records and artifacts.

The Director will design and implement an enhanced records management framework prioritize competing initiatives and manage the interdependencies across offices and functions. Serving as both a strategic leader and hands-on operator the Director will motivate teams build consensus among stakeholders and drive timely high-quality results.

To achieve these objectives the Director will function as: (a) a subject-matter expert and advocate for effective records management; (b) a strategist leader change agent and communicator; (c) a problem solver and troubleshooter; (d) a Firm ambassador and cross-functional liaison; and (e) a program and project manager overseeing complex Firm-wide initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Define the Firms global RIM strategy roadmap and governance framework aligned with business goals client expectations industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain Firm-wide policies procedures retention schedules and guidelines governing electronic and physical records.
• Assess current-state practices and lead the design of a modern integrated records and information lifecycle program supporting creation classification storage retrieval retention and disposition.
• Identify opportunities to improve risk mitigation operational efficiency client service and cost management.
• Drive Firm-approved milestones track progress and demonstrate measurable improvements in all RIM functions.

Operational Oversight & Execution

• Oversee daily records operations across all offices ensuring consistency and quality of service delivery.
• Manage the lifecycle of Firm recordselectronic and paperacross practice groups administrative departments and global offices.
• Coordinate processes for intake indexing storage transfer digitization retrieval and secure destruction.
• Ensure application of standardized taxonomy metadata practices and matter-level controls across systems and repositories.
• Oversee vendor relationships related to offsite storage scanning imaging and related services.
• Develop and monitor KPIs operational dashboards and service-level measures.

Technology Systems & Modernization

• Partner with IT Information Governance and Knowledge Management to evaluate deploy and optimize RIM technologies including:
  • Records management systems (RMS)
  • Document management systems (DMS)
  • Matter lifecycle and workflow tools
  • Legal hold or eDiscovery tools
  • Physical records tracking systems
• Lead automation and digitization initiatives to reduce paper streamline processes and improve retrieval and reporting.
• Ensure systems are configured to support retention disposition metadata security and ethical walls requirements.
• Oversee system upgrades data migrations and integrations with Firm platforms.

Governance Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to the Firms legal regulatory and ethical obligations related to records management information governance and privacy.
• Collaborate with the Office of General Counsel Risk Compliance and IT Security to support legal holds audits client requirements and confidentiality protocols.
• Maintain global retention schedules in alignment with applicable laws regulations and best practices.
• Regularly assess and remediate risk exposures in processes practices and systems.
• Develop defensible disposition programs for electronic and physical materials.

Leadership Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead mentor and develop a global records management team including managers supervisors analysts and office-based staff.
• Build consensus with partners senior leadership and administrative stakeholders to support program adoption and compliance.
• Develop and deliver training communication and change-management programs to promote RIM awareness and adoption.
• Serve as a key liaison to attorneys legal teams and administrative departments on RIM-related questions priorities and projects.
• Cultivate a culture of accountability accuracy confidentiality and high service standards.

Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors including but not limited to the relevant market skills experience and education of the selected candidate. If an estimated salary range for this role is available it will be provided in our Target Salary Range section. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at

Target Salary Range

$280000 - $350000 if located in Illinois

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation please email (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• Bachelors degree required (Information Management Library/Information Science Business or related field).
• Certified Information Governance Professional (IGP) or Certified Records Manager (CRM).
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in records management information governance or related disciplines ideally within a law firm or professional services environment.
• A minimum of 5 years of leadership or management experience including oversight of multi-location or global teams.
• Deep understanding of electronic and physical records lifecycles including classification retention disposition and compliance.
• Experience with leading RIM and DMS platforms (e.g. iManage NetDocuments FileTrail Iron Mountain LegalKEY or similar).
• Familiarity with legal industry requirements including client outside counsel guidelines data privacy regulations and ethical walls.
• Strong understanding of IG frameworks (e.g. ARMA ISO 15489 NARA Sedona).
• Proven experience implementing large-scale modernization or digitization initiatives.
• Strong analytical reporting and data-driven decision-making capabilities.

Preferred:

• Masters degree preferred

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Required Experience:

Director

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