Director Of Change Leadership

FIRM INFORMATION

Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 30 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, entertainment and media, shipping and transport, energy and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing, technology, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Change Leadership is a seasoned leader responsible for designing and facilitating awareness, understanding, adoption, and measurable impact of our transformative initiatives. We are operating at the intersection of modern business disciplines, legal practice design, and early adopter tech programs. Leveraging extensive experience and strategic insight, this individual will orchestrate comprehensive change management strategies to drive organizational evolution, enhance agility, and maximize operational excellence in the realm of innovation. Reporting directly to the Chief Innovation Officer, the Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s future by championing a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Context for Change:
Reed Smith has committed to an extended program of re-examining how it approaches traditional business operations and the provision of legal services. The firm is creating a common global platform that provides its lawyers and clients with a competitive edge, in terms of intelligence, learning, collaboration, efficiencies, and risk management. The firm has completed an initial foundational phase which included the provision of 22 new or improved business systems, the expansion of the firm’s data framework to over 8 billion elements, and ongoing piloting of key Generative AI systems. The firm invested in a data analytics COE, expanded programs in Client Value and Strategic Resourcing, and recently hired a Director of Applied AI.
But these elements are means to an end. To prepare to evolve the DNA of the firm, the firm created the Innovation Lab in 2022 headed by a PhD Anthropologist, utilizing human centered design and client feedback in creating fresh playbooks. In alignment with senior partners, the firm identified four key practices to serve as long term proofs of concepts for these collective changes as well as fresh considerations of incentives, mentoring, and value. Our objectives aren’t simply to use tech better, but to grow our pipelines, understand and predict our clients’ needs more deeply, be leaders in collaboration despite our global footprint, and optimize our efficiency along the way. As we prove and tune our results through key practices, we will grow to impact more of the firm overall.
Beyond the Lab considering roles and processes, we have teams to design software, AI, and data solutions. Accordingly, this Change Leadership role is now fundamental to achieving the outcomes for which we’ve been investing.
Team:
Currently reporting to this role are a small although experienced team of innovation project managers and business analysts, a change analyst, and an innovation trainer. As beneficial, we also contract senior change specialist with particular areas of expertise. There are also complementary resources around the firm including our Innovation Lab, Intelligence team, Learning & Development, IT Transformation, and the Strategy and Innovation Committee.

REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, organizational psychology, or a related field required; advanced degree (e.g., MBA) preferred. Certification in change management (e.g., Prosci, CCMP) and/or relevant professional affiliations preferred
Experience: 10+ years of experience. Proven track record of success in leading complex change management initiatives within large, matrixed organizations, preferably in the legal or professional services sector, with a focus on technological innovation. Demonstrable experience in organizing and evolving the working habits of partner/owner-level leaders is fundamental. Extensive experience in strategic planning, organizational development, and transformational Change Leadership, particularly in the context of business operations, practice leadership, and client intelligence. Demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve ambitious goals while fostering a culture of accountability, resilience, and innovation within an innovation-driven environment. Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, drive results, and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment characterized by rapid technological innovation
Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization, including technical and non-technical stakeholders. Strong business acumen and understanding of legal industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory frameworks, coupled with a deep appreciation for the transformative potential of AI and data science.

• Develop and implement enterprise-wide Change Leadership strategies that align with the firm’s strategic objectives, business priorities, and innovation initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership, practice heads, and key stakeholders to assess organizational readiness for innovative changes, identifying potential barriers, and devising proactive mitigation strategies.
• Engage our strategic clients in our change programs and support their teams through complementary changes
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of Change and project management professionals within the Innovation Team, providing mentorship, guidance, and support to foster their growth and development in the context of technological innovation.
• Drive the design and execution of robust communication plans to articulate the rationale, vision, and benefits of AI and data science-driven initiatives to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Anticipate and address resistance to innovative changes through targeted interventions, engagement strategies, and the cultivation of a positive change culture rooted in technological advancement.
• In coordination with the Learning and Development team, oversee the development and delivery of comprehensive training programs to equip employees and leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to harness the potential of new tools and working practices in their respective roles.
• Establish clear metrics and performance indicators to monitor the effectiveness of Change initiatives, driving continuous improvement and ensuring alignment with strategic innovation objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership alongside the Chief Innovation Officer, offering strategic counsel, insights, and recommendations on change management best practices, innovation adoption, and industry trends.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, market dynamics, and regulatory changes within the legal industry, particularly in the realm of evolving client expectations, integrating relevant insights into change management strategies.
• Champion innovation and thought leadership in change management, fostering a culture of experimentation, learning, and adaptation that embraces the transformative potential across the organization.
  The Director of Change Leadership will serve as a visionary leader, driving meaningful transformation and shaping the future of our firm. This role presents an exciting opportunity for an experienced change management professional to make a lasting impact on the organization’s success and resilience in an evolving marketplace driven by technological innovation.
  Job functions included are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Reed Smith reserves the right to revise or modify job functions at any time.