IT Training Manager

Watson Farley & Williams was established in London in 1982 and is an international law firm dedicated to client care, legal excellence and investment in its people.  The firm has offices in Athens, Bangkok, Dubai, London, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Madrid, Milan, Munich, New York, Paris, Rome and Singapore.

The firm has seen rapid expansion in size and geography.  Having started as a maritime law firm, in which it remains pre-eminent, the firm is today recognised for its specialist focus on five core sectors: Energy & Infrastructure, Maritime, Natural Resources, Real Estate and Transport in which it provides a full suite of services including finance, corporate, dispute resolution, tax, employment and regulatory.

IT training is a key element of WFW’s IT Global Services.  The IT Training team is responsible for and provide an effective, professional technology learning programme to all WFW.  It applies a blended learning approach using a varied range of technologies with the aim to engage and educate staff across the firm’s 14 offices.  The role of the IT Training Manager is to work with senior members of IT and the business to identify current and future learning needs and to define and deliver relevant IT learning programmes for staff so they can work efficiently and effectively.  This includes working smarter with existing tools and technologies as well as identifying opportunities to apply new technologies and methods.

Strong presentation, communication, interpersonal and organisational skills are essential as is self-motivation, flexibility and attention to detail.

• Design and deliver a programme of dynamic, effective IT Training courses to all WFW staff using a range of suitable approaches (current and emerging) including classroom-based sessions, bespoke one-to-one instruction, deskside coaching, presentations and seminars, floor walking, webinars and eLearning (across relevant mobile and desktop devices). Devise, develop and communicate the programme of IT Training to the business appropriate to role, experience at WFW and skill level of staff members.

• Design course materials, exercises and other accompanying courseware; write and update existing material where appropriate to the agreed standards.NOTE: this will include defining and producing training communications to increase interest and awareness levels of WFW systems and processes.

• Manage the operation of the IT Training function, and pioneer and implement new training initiatives and strategies. Be the key contact for IT Training enquiries across the firm.

• Provide consultation with Departmental Managers, Office Heads, team co-coordinators and other key personnel to identify IT Training requirements, trends and skills gaps across the firm, and create learning solutions and development plans accordingly.

• Mentor and appraise members of the IT Training team to ensure skills are at optimum level to support the business and provide members with professional skills development. Communicate with the IT Training team to ensure all members are aware of current projects, activities and developments.

• Lead the training element of projects to launch new software and solutions effectively to the business, providing consultancy throughout the lifecycle of the project.

• Work closely with the IT Service Desk to analyse problem trends and create education programmes accordingly, and provide one-to-one support to customers as appropriate

• Work with IT colleagues globally to ensure consistent firm wide communication and help maintain the relationship between IT and the business.

• Advise during the development of new and existing technologies, applications and templates as to the potential impact on WFW users and other systems and processes.

• Regularly review training offerings and approaches to complement the changing business.

• Produce "IT Top Tips" and their variants for firm wide distribution.

• Maintain the IT Training pages of the intranet.

• Mentor and appraise members of the IT Training team to ensure skills, knowledge and awareness are at optimum level to travel to international offices as required.

• Flexibility to work outside of normal office hours as required and to travel to WFW international offices, including long-haul travel, to provide IT Training services.

• Keep up to date with learning technologies and approaches suitable for a global law firm with a range of staff and spectrum or learning requirements.

• Ensure the IT knowledge-base is kept up-to-date and relevant.

At least 7 years’ experience as an IT trainer and with at least 3 years’ experience as an IT Training Manager.

At least 2 years’ experience of working in an international organisation (ideally a law firm) defining and delivering IT training services on a global scale.

TAP and/or other recognised IT training certifications would be useful but not essential as is COLF for online training.

• Recognising and promoting the importance of IT Training as a critical part of IT Global Services

• Being a true IT Training professional (relevant training qualifications and certifications are desired but not essential)

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrating professionalism at all times

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Able to demonstrate high levels of initiative and motivation

• Excellent presentation and client service skills

• Able to manage multiple projects and initiatives concurrently and alongside Business as Usual work and meet deadlines.

• Extensive experience in the full lifecycle of a training project

• Maintain accurate learning records and attendance records for courses.

Our current training programme includes:

• Microsoft Office 2013 (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio), Skype for Business 2015/Office 2016/Office 365 to advanced level.NOTE: soon moving to Office 2016 on Win10 64-bit build with relevant updates to iManage, DocsCorp, DocXtools, and so on)

• Iphelion Outline Template Management

• Litera Microsystems DocXtools

• Litera Microsystems Contract Companion

• Aderant Expert

• WebEx

• Cornerstone Learning Management System

• Windows 7/8.1/10

• iManage WorkSite/FileSite

• DocsCorp compareDocs, pdfDocs and cleanDocs

• Carpe Diem Tracker and Entry

• Lexis Nexis InterAction 6.2

• G2 Digital Dictation/Transcription (and piloting BigHand)

• Follow me print (Equitrac)

• Adobe Captivate, Camtasia Studio

• Cisco telephone, AV awareness Polycom Trio meeting phones, mobile device (Apple and Android), laptop and remote working

At Watson Farley & Williams we value diversity and promote a culture of respect for each individual. We encourage workforce diversity at all levels and in all aspects from recruitment and selection to appraisal and promotion. All decisions relating to employment practice will be objective and based on merit and ability.