Information Technology Governance Manager

Information Governance Manager

Location: Hybrid in New York, NY

Duration: Permanent / Full-Time

Position Overview

A leading global law firm is seeking an experienced Information Governance (IG) Manager to lead key components of its enterprise Information Governance program. Reporting to the Director of Information Governance, this individual will oversee governance strategy, policies, repository standards, information lifecycle management, matter mobility, and emerging technology governance.

This role combines strategic program leadership with hands-on operational oversight and team management. The IG Manager will establish governance standards, drive risk reduction initiatives, manage cross-functional priorities, and ensure the firm's information assets are handled in accordance with legal, regulatory, ethical, and client requirements.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in Information Governance, Records Management, or Legal Technology, along with experience developing enterprise policies, managing governance programs, and partnering with senior stakeholders across technology, legal, risk, and business functions.

Key Responsibilities

Information Governance Strategy & Policy

• Lead the development and ongoing management of enterprise Information Governance strategies, policies, standards, control frameworks, and accountability models.
• Establish and maintain requirements for information retention, disposition, preservation, classification, stewardship, and responsible information handling.
• Oversee policy reviews, governance exceptions, risk assessments, remediation efforts, and program maturity initiatives.
• Partner with Technology, Information Security, Risk Management, Legal, Knowledge Management, Records Management, and Practice Groups to align governance requirements and priorities.

Team & Program Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop junior members of the Information Governance team.
• Establish team priorities, operating procedures, service expectations, and clear accountability across governance functions.
• Oversee a portfolio of initiatives, including repository modernization, shared-drive governance, Microsoft 365 governance, document management optimization, matter mobility, electronic disposition, and information lifecycle improvements.
• Ensure governance documentation, controls, audit evidence, and management reporting are consistent and defensible.

Repository Governance & Information Architecture

• Establish and oversee repository governance standards, including metadata, taxonomy, content classification, workspace structures, foldering, naming conventions, and information placement.
• Provide governance direction across NetDocuments, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, shared drives, and other enterprise content repositories.
• Partner with technical teams responsible for infrastructure, cybersecurity, platform administration, and product ownership to ensure repositories meet enterprise governance requirements.
• Define governance acceptance criteria and remediation priorities for repository migrations, consolidations, and modernization initiatives.

Matter Mobility & Information Lifecycle Management

• Oversee governance processes related to client-directed file transfers, attorney arrivals and departures, matter transfers, matter closures, electronic disposition, and information portability.
• Establish procedures for authorization, transfer scope, chain of custody, validation, reconciliation, exception handling, and audit documentation.
• Resolve escalated issues involving client requirements, confidentiality, ethical obligations, information handling, and cross-functional governance concerns.
• Ensure information lifecycle processes align with firm policies, client obligations, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Client & Emerging Technology Governance

• Own the process for identifying, interpreting, documenting, and maintaining client-specific Information Governance requirements and outside counsel guideline obligations.
• Lead governance initiatives related to Microsoft Copilot, generative AI, and emerging technologies, including acceptable use, information classification, retention, and client confidentiality requirements.
• Support client audits, questionnaires, due diligence reviews, and information governance assessments in partnership with relevant stakeholders.

Metrics, Training & Continuous Improvement

• Develop an enterprise measurement framework and consolidate repository, matter mobility, lifecycle, and Records Management metrics into leadership reporting.
• Establish governance awareness, communications, and training programs for employees and relevant stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to reduce information risk, standardize processes, improve service delivery, automate workflows, and strengthen adoption of governance policies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 7+ years of experience in Information Governance, Records Management, Compliance, Legal Operations, Information Architecture, Legal Technology, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing governance policies, control frameworks, and enterprise operational programs.
• Strong understanding of information lifecycle management, repository governance, metadata, classification, retention, disposition, matter mobility, and client information obligations.
• Experience managing cross-functional initiatives and working with senior stakeholders across technology, legal, risk, and business functions.
• Strong leadership, team management, prioritization, communication, and change management skills.
• Ability to translate complex legal, regulatory, client, and business requirements into practical governance policies and operational controls.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a large law firm or professional services environment.
• Familiarity with NetDocuments, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, Microsoft Purview, Intapp, FileTrail, and related legal technology platforms.
• Knowledge of AI governance, privacy, outside counsel guidelines, attorney mobility, and cross-border information transfers.
• Relevant certifications such as Information Governance Professional (IGP), Certified Records Manager (CRM), Certified Information Professional (CIP), Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), PMP, or equivalent.