Innovation Ideation & Adoption Manager

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Client: Freshfields

Based: Hybrid (2/3 days a week in New York or London office)

Length: 3 to 6 months

Reports To: Innovation Ideation Lead

Job title: Innovation Ideation & Adoption Manager

The Project

The Innovation Ideation & Adoption Manager is entrusted with spearheading the implementation and widespread adoption of legal technology and AI tools within Freshfields. This role requires hands-on involvement, including an in-depth engagement with the tools and direct interaction with end users, necessitating both technical expertise and change management proficiency. Primary duties encompass leading the complete implementation process of legal technology solutions, becoming a super-user, and delivering live demonstrations and training sessions. The manager will collaborate with the wider Global Innovation Office to seamlessly integrate these solutions into legal workflows and processes on a global scale.

Additionally, the manager needs to be able to build solutions or be willing to learn to build solutions using MS PowerSuite, Google Suite, and any agentic tools within our current or future stack.

Team Context

The Innovation Ideation team is part of the Global Innovation Office (GIO) and works proactively across all practice groups and offices to identify key business needs and problem statements. The team leads solution development through both build and buy approaches, working closely with experts from across the GIO, IT, and Transformation teams. Through horizon scanning and maintaining a legal front door for innovation requests, the team ensures solutions are aligned with broader firm strategies while meeting specific practice group requirements.

As part of this dynamic team within the GIO, the Innovation Ideation & AI Adoption Manager will focus specifically on the successful implementation and adoption of identified solutions, ensuring their effective integration into legal workflows and processes across our global network.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end implementation of legal technology and AI tools, including needs assessment, vendor selection, deployment planning, and user adoption strategies

• Become a super-user of implemented tools, maintaining deep practical knowledge of their functionality and applications

• Conduct regular live demonstrations and training sessions, showcasing practical applications of tools in real legal scenarios

• Provide hands-on guidance and support during user onboarding and adoption phases

• Develop and execute comprehensive change management and training programmes to ensure successful adoption of new technologies across practice groups

• Create and maintain documentation, training materials, and best practice guides for legal tech tools

• Partner with stakeholders across practice groups, IT, and business services to identify opportunities for process improvement through technology

• Monitor usage metrics and user feedback to optimise tool adoption and effectiveness

• Provide ongoing support and coaching to lawyers and legal professionals on utilising new technologies

• Stay current with legal technology trends and evaluate emerging solutions for potential implementation and manage a horizon scanning database to keep Freshfields ahead of the market. 

• Manage relationships with technology vendors and internal IT teams

• Lead user acceptance testing and feedback collection for new tools and features

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in legal innovation, technology implementation, or similar role within a corporate legal department or law firm

• Proven track record of leading innovation initiatives and managing a portfolio of projects

• Demonstrated success in managing change and driving technology adoption in legal environments

• Strong understanding of legal operations and workflows

• Experience with contract management systems, e-discovery platforms, matter management software, and AI-powered legal tools

• Excellent project management skills with ability to manage multiple implementations simultaneously

• Strong communication and presentation skills with ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences

• Experience with artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in legal context

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of data privacy and security requirements

• Change management certification (PROSCI, similar)

• Experience with Agile methodologies

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with major legal technology platforms

• Understanding of AI/ML concepts and applications

• Basic understanding of API integrations and workflows

• Experience with project management tools

• Familiarity with data analytics and reporting tools

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking with ability to identify emerging trends and opportunities

• Excellence in stakeholder management and relationship building

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Ability to influence and drive change across organisations

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills

• Innovation mindset with ability to challenge status quo

• Detail-oriented with strong organisational capabilities

• Customer-focused approach with emphasis on user experience

• Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to balance multiple priorities and manage competing demands

Impact Measures

• Successful implementation of legal tech and AI tools according to project timelines

• Adoption rates and user satisfaction metrics

• Process efficiency improvements and cost savings

• Training programme effectiveness

• System utilisation metrics and ROI achievement

Work Environment

• Hybrid work environment with some travel required between offices

• Collaboration with global teams across different time zones

• Fast-paced, innovative international law firm focused on digital transformation

The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills to drive meaningful change in our legal department's technology landscape. They will be passionate about legal innovation and have a track record of successful technology implementations in legal environments.