A&O Shearman
Client Data & Process Improvement Senior Manager
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Client Data & Process Improvement Senior Manager
Group Finance team - London
Achieving the firm's vision requires a world-class Finance department and our teams add value when the information we provide enables great decisions. Provide high-quality advice and relevant, accurate information to the decision makers in A&O Shearman, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations and delivering our service efficiently.
What you will do
This is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, governance, and continuous improvement of client data management and client onboarding from a Finance perspective. The Senior Manager will ensure the highest standards of client data integrity, drive operational efficiency, and maintain compliance with regulatory and client-specific requirements.
The successful candidate will lead a team of data professionals, champion process improvement initiatives, and act as a trusted partner to stakeholders across the business.
Responsibilities
Process Improvement & Transformation
- Identify, design, and implement process improvements across the client data lifecycle - from client onboarding and data capture through to set-up maintenance, reporting, and archival
- Drive automation and technology adoption to enhance efficiency, reduce manual intervention, and minimize error rates
- Lead client data review and system process improvement projects, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum data integrity
- Apply continuous improvement methodologies to optimize client data workflows and eliminate waste
Data Strategy & Governance
- Develop and execute the firm's client data management strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements
- Establish and maintain client data governance frameworks, including data ownership, quality standards, and lifecycle management policies
- Define and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and data quality metrics, reporting regularly to senior leadership
- Ensure compliance with client and industry-specific onboarding and client data requirements
Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership
- Partner with senior stakeholders across Client Services, Finance, Compliance, Risk, external vendors, and IT to understand business needs and deliver data solutions
- Report to senior leadership on client data quality, risks, improvement initiatives, and strategic recommendations
- Act as the firm's subject matter expert on client data management best practices
- Represent the function in firm-wide governance forums and project steering committees
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People Management & Development
- Lead, manage, and develop a team of client data management professionals, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous learning
- Set clear objectives and performance expectations, conducting regular reviews and providing coaching and mentoring
- Identify skill gaps and develop training plans to build team capability
- Manage resource planning, recruitment, and succession planning for the function
What you will have
Essential Experience
- Significant experience (typically 8+ years) in client data management, client onboarding, data governance, or related operational roles, with at least 5+ years at a management level
- Proven track record of designing and delivering process improvement and transformation initiatives
- Demonstrable experience managing and developing teams in a professional services or accounting/financial services environment
- Experience working with senior stakeholders and presenting to executive-level audiences
- Strong understanding of regulatory requirements relating to client data
Desirable Experience
- Project management qualifications (Prince2, PMP, Agile/Scrum)
- Experience leading client data migrations/system integrations and process improvement projects
- Background in accounting, audit, or professional services firms
- Exposure to billing and rates management, ideally with experience managing e-billing vendors/processes
Technical Skills
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (complex formulae, Power Query, pivot tables, macros/VBA)
- Working knowledge of SQL and database management principles
- Familiarity with data governance frameworks and tools
- Understanding of data architecture and interrogation of datasets
- Exposure to workflow automation tools (e.g., Power Automate, Power Apps)
- Experience with process improvement tools and techniques (e.g., Visio, Lucidchart)
- Exposure to AI and automation process review
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Soft Skills & Personal Attributes
- Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams
- Outstanding stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
- Strong analytical and critical thinking capabilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making
- Proven change management skills, with the ability to navigate complexity and drive adoption
- Highly organized with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities
- Commercially astute with a strong understanding of how data supports business objectives
- Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a passion for continuous improvement
Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.
We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
We recognize that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing center and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans, and online discounts and lifestyle management services.
Our approach to hybrid working seeks to combine and maximize the benefits of effective remote working with the benefits of being in the office. Our current hybrid working arrangements require office-based working for a minimum of 60% of your time (i.e., three days per week for a full-time role) in accordance with our hybrid working policy.
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