Document Automation Manager (no agencies)

Stephenson Harwood LLP; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job description

What we will offer

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

You can expect

• A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Hybrid working – 3 days in the office per week
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• The opportunity to support the firm's charity through volunteering leave
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.

Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.

Team Structure

Our innovation team was founded in January 2018 and has a global remit, with a primary focus on improving or enhancing the way our lawyers deliver services to clients, and to identify and implement new services that complement our core revenue generating activities.

Main Responsibilities

Innovation and Engagement

• To lead the Document Automation team and be the firm's expert in Document Automation.
• Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in document automation, including helping the firm navigate the impact of Generative AI on document automation.
• Manage the relationship with document automation software providers and document automation service providers.
• Automate documents using the firm's document automation software, following a best practice approach.
• Develop and manage the pipeline of document automation work globally.
• Collaborate with vendors to identify optimal timing for software upgrades as well as managing the upgrade projects, coordinating closely with the internal IT team to ensure smooth implementation.
• Liaise with third-party suppliers to explore integration working with API integrations capability to ensure connectivity between systems and improve workflow efficiency.
• Proactively engage with all practice groups to identify potential opportunities for document automation within the firm.

Strategic Alignment and Project Management

• Ensure document automation projects align with the firm's overall strategy.
• Prioritise projects based on business needs and potential return on investment (ROI).
• Oversee the design, development, testing, and delivery stages to ensure high-quality results.
• Communicate project progress and outcomes to senior management and stakeholders.

Team Leadership and Development

• Provide guidance and support to the document automation team.
• Encourage continuous improvement in design and development processes.
• Monitor and evaluate team performance, providing constructive feedback and addressing performance issues.

Resource Allocation and Efficiency

• Allocate resources effectively to ensure timely completion of document automation projects and business-as-usual (BAU) tasks.
• Implement best practices and standards for document automation processes.

Training and Compliance

• Support the creation and maintenance of training materials for document automation.
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, identifying and mitigating risks associated with document automation projects.

Performance Analysis and Reporting

• Analyse and report on the ROI of document automation projects.
• Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions and improve future projects.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Demonstrates the Stephenson Harwood values of individuality, commitment, teamwork and straight talking.
• Personality to make an impact in the team and to influence busy senior stakeholders.
• Cooperative and collaborative in approach and able to develop excellent working relationships at all levels and roles.
• Highly organised and able to work to deadlines with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and prioritise realistically.
• High professional standards with commitment to quality work product.
• Outstanding levels of professionalism when working with lawyers and clients.
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
• An interest in innovation and a passion for driving change.
• Resilient with the ability to handle setbacks and pressure.
• Self-motivated, flexible and proactive.
• Comfortable with presenting to colleagues and clients at all levels.

Experience:

Essential

• 5+ years of experience of working with HotDocs or other comparable Document Automation tools, in a developer role.
• An interest in automation and a passion for driving efficiency through change.
• Strong technical skills in the use of Microsoft office, including advanced Microsoft Word skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity of working on technology related projects.
• Experience of working in a professional services environment, working with busy fee earning staff.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

Preferred

• Experience of line management/developing and coaching others.
• Experience of managing outsource document automation services.
• Experience of delivering technology-based projects.

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

About the Firm

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions, and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our values:

• Individuality- We encourage creativity and develop talent.
• Commitment- To be the best and deliver the highest standard.
• Teamwork- We work together to build close, long-term relationships.
• Straight talking- We say what we mean and do what we say.

These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions.

Our vision into 2026

To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.

This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character – the attributes we want to see from all of our people. It also reflects the importance of remaining independent - a clear sign that we are confident in our own future. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.