Join to apply for the Head of Legal Technology and Innovation role at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Are you passionate about legal tech and looking for the next challenge in your career? Whether you’re a senior technologist, legal operations expert, or innovation lead ready for your next step, this is your opportunity to shape the future of legal tech delivery at a forward‑thinking firm.
We’re hiring a Head of Legal Technology & Innovation – a strategic, hands‑on senior leader who will drive the adoption and optimisation of legal tech and AI across the business. You don’t need to have held this exact title before. If you’ve led impactful tech initiatives, collaborated across teams, and have a vision for smarter legal service delivery, we want to hear from you.
The firm operates a hybrid agile working policy allowing employees to work from home (or another UK location) for up to 50% of their time. Individuals can also apply for other flexible working options at the time of recruitment or during the course of their employment. This role is available in any of our UK locations, although regular travel – particularly to London – will be required.
Responsibilities
* Strategic Leadership & Management
o Develop and lead the firm’s legal technology strategy, including the development and execution of the AI strategy. Identify and deliver against commercial KPIs for tech‑driven revenue generation.
o Chair the internal AI Working Group and AI Taskforce, driving innovation and adoption of AI solutions.
o Manage and develop the Legal Technology team, including line management of the Junior Legal Technologist and Document Automation Specialist.
o Oversee the legal technology budget and procurement process for all new legal tech solutions, ensuring value for investment and alignment with strategic goals.
* Transformation & Change
o Lead cross‑functional teams in business process redesign involving deployment of tech solutions.
o Promote a culture of technology‑based innovation across legal and support teams.
o Deliver training and change management programmes for tech adoption.
* Technology Implementation & Adoption
o Serve as subject‑matter expert for key legal delivery tools including Relativity (e‑disclosure), Luminance, Orbital Residential, Avail (AI tools), DocuSign (e‑signature), and Bighand Matter Pricing and Profitability (legal budgeting).
o Lead integration, configuration, and customisation of legal tech tools to meet business and client needs.
o Promote and drive adoption (measured against commercial KPIs) of legal technology and AI solutions across the firm through training, demos, and stakeholder engagement.
o Develop and maintain collateral materials to support legal tech awareness and usage.
* Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
o Partner with Knowledge, IT, fee earners, Central teams and project managers to ensure legal tech tools are effectively embedded into workflows.
o Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders.
o Support business development and client pitches by showcasing the firm’s legal tech capabilities.
o Collaborate with clients to co‑develop tech‑enabled legal solutions.
o Develop and maintain strong connections with our external legal tech vendors.
* Innovation & Continuous Improvement
o Identify new use cases and opportunities for existing technologies to enhance client service delivery.
o Monitor legal tech market trends and emerging technologies, providing strategic insights and recommendations.
o Maintain and share internal and external legal tech know‑how across the firm.
* Operational Excellence
o Oversee legal tech deployment on client matters, ensuring optimal use of tools and alignment with client needs.
o Manage day‑to‑day administrative tasks including internal site management and responding to queries from fee earners.
Technical Skills & Experience
* Proven experience in leading legal technology initiatives within a law firm or other professional services environment and/or technology provider.
* Skilled in developing, managing, driving adoption and embedding technology solutions.
* Strong understanding of legal tech platforms such as Relativity, Luminance, DocuSign, HighQ Collaborate, Contract Express, and legal budgeting tools.
* Experience in managing budgets and procurement processes.
* Familiarity with MS Office and MS365 Suite; ability to quickly learn new technologies.
* Background in law, technology, or innovation (degree or equivalent experience).
* Experience in business analysis and/or project management is desirable.
Behavioural Competencies
* Strategic thinker with a passion for legal innovation and technology.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
* Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
* Highly organised.
* Commercially astute with an understanding of the evolving legal services market.
* Proactive, adaptable, and a hands‑on approach to getting things done.
* Energetic and enthusiastic team player.
* Both collaborative and able to work autonomously.
* Committed to continuous learning and driving change.
* Adept at being the interface between the technology and the user.
At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committees here.
We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long‑term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please contact Helen.Lewis@penningtonslaw.com.
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