Research \u0026amp; Discovery Platform Owner

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research & Discovery Platform Owner to join our growing IT team based in the A&O Shearman Belfast office.

The core of the global technology department's mission is to provide stable, reliable, and secure platforms and services to our partners, staff and clients and fulfil our regulatory obligations across 30+ countries. To ensure that a consistent and standardised IT service is delivered to all offices, IT is managed and led as a global function, enabling all offices to benefit from complete systems integration and economies of scale. We have around 400 technologists based predominantly in the UK, Singapore and increasingly in the US.

The Team - Enterprise Architecture and Technology Platforms

To develop and maintain the firm's technology strategy and enterprise architecture. In parallel, own, improve and simplify the firm's key technology 'building blocks' by designing, building and managing the core technology platforms which are fundamental to delivering strategic business goals.

Reporting to the Head of Knowledge Technology Platforms, this role partners with the eDiscovery Product Team and the Library & Research function to ensure our lawyers have fast, compliant access to worldclass content and tools. In scope are platforms such as Relativity aiR (and Relativity ecosystem), and external Legal Content Platforms such as Practical Law, CoCounsel, Lexis+, and jurisdictional equivalents, along with integrations into the firm's knowledge and matter systems (e.g., DMS, search, identity/SSO). This role blends product ownership, service management, vendor/commercial management, and governance to deliver measurable outcomes for practice groups and business teams.

What you will do

• Partner with eDiscovery team to develop and implement strategic plans for eDiscovery platforms, aligned with strategy for the eDiscovery team and the Disputes practice, in compliance with IT governance models.
• Partner with Library & Research team to develop and implement strategic plans for externally hosted Legal Content platforms (e.g. Lexis+, Practical Law, CoCounsel etc.) aligned to firm and practice group strategy, and in compliance with IT governance models.
• Drive the integration strategy for eDiscovery and Legal Research platforms within the firm's technology ecosystem, ensuring interoperability, risk mitigation, and alignment with business objectives to deliver measurable efficiency gains.
• Collaborate with Technology Services, eDiscovery and Library & Research teams to define cross-functional operational governance for platforms, defining service models including SLAs, incident management workflows and escalation channels.
• Run quarterly reviews with eDiscovery and Library & Research leadership and technology governance forums; maintain a transparent backlog and benefits case.
• Oversee risk assessments for new AIassisted features across platforms, ensuring compliance with relevant regulation, as well as firm policies and guidelines, as defined by AI Ops Co, Risk and InfoSec.
• Identify & pursue opportunities for continuous improvement across platforms and workflows, supporting eDiscovery and Library & research teams to automate workflows and improve processes through the use of approved technology and AI toolsets.
• Operate within the firm's global IT operating model and platform governance, partnering with Enterprise Architecture and adjacent Platform Owners (Cloud, Data, AI and Search). Follow standard documentation, change, and servicetransition practices used across platform roles.
• Act as the focal point for matters related to the Legal Research and eDiscovery platforms, providing expert guidance to other teams when required.
• Support vendor reviews to assess performance against service targets, drive innovation and ensure any remediation activities are being delivered.

What you will have

• Proven product ownership (roadmaps, backlogs, feature enablement, benefits realisation) in a complex, regulated environment (law firm, professional services, or in‑house legal).
• Knowledge and understanding of eDiscovery or Legal Research platforms and their operational management is desirable.
• Knowledge of IT strategic planning, design, and operations processes.
• Proven project management capabilities.
• Knowledge of current IT and data market trends and technology innovations.
• Proven track record of managing teams.
• At least 5 years background in the IT industry.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills with the capability to explain technical information in an easily understandable manner.
• High level of personal credibility, impact and influence with proven ability to work effectively and persuasively at all levels.
• A highly motivated self‑starter with exceptional interpersonal and facilitation skills, capable of thriving both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proven business acumen and ability to understand how they add value to the function, firm or clients.
• Promotes the firm's values at all times and is comfortable working with a wide range of people and departments.

A&O Shearman is a global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 28 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development; we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimize your wellbeing.