Global Business Continuity Management Lead

We are currently recruiting for a Global Business Continuity Management Lead to join our dedicated team. Reporting to the Global Head of Security and Business Continuity Management, the purpose of this Senior Manager level role will be to develop the Business Continuity Management (BCM) strategy globally. You will develop, implement test and maintain the firm's business continuity program to ensure resilience of critical operations in the event of disruption. The Global BCM Lead will lead the efforts to identify, assess, and mitigate risks, ensuring that the firm can continue to operate and recover swiftly from unforeseen events such as natural disasters, cyber-attacks, ICT outages, third party supplier technical failures and other emergencies. This role is pivotal in safeguarding the organisation's assets, reputation, and stakeholder trust through proactive planning, effective response strategies, and continuous improvement of business continuity practices. Role and responsibilities

• Manage the global BCM programme for the firm globally.
• Identify risks to the firm's global operations and identify solutions to mitigate and introduce resilience.
• Conduct business impact analyses as a basis for BCM; also, to identify recovery requirements, interdependencies within the firm and dependencies on external agencies.
• Develop, implement and maintain policies, procedures and plans to support BCM and protect stakeholder interests.
• Maintain ISO22301 certification for BCM.
• Drive a comprehensive and an increasingly more rigorous global exercise schedule to prove the capability of plans.
• Develop, implement and test a crisis communications plan including the re-routing of telephony and crisis communication options including automated cascade, emergency message provision and on-line facilities.
• Implement a rigorous programme of review and audit to confirm that the strategies and plans are maintained.
• Maintain a close relationship with technology departments to confirm the resilience of the IT environment, ensuring that technology departments know where to turn in a crisis/incident.
• Work closely with internal ICT teams to perform horizon scanning and analysis of trends for new and emerging global risks/hazards to determine potential threats to A&O Shearman.
• Identify critical third party suppliers and conduct risk assessments.
• Support the execution of business continuity plans as a member of the "Gold team" in the event of a major incident.
• Brief and train all members of the global crisis teams.
• Develop and implement a programme of education and training for staff, generally, across the firm.
• Assess the impact of internal and external changes, including business developments and legislative/regulatory changes, and make any necessary changes to the programme.
  
  Practical experience in business continuity / resilience management in the legal or financial sectors. Preferably working to BS25999 or ISO 22301.
• Recognition from a professional body preferred (e.g. CBCI/MBCI).
• Significant experience in business continuity management, risk management, disaster recovery, or a related field.
• Significant experience working in a Professional Services environment (legal sector/partnership ideal).
• Significant experience working with ICT, IT and technology departments.
• Enthusiastic and committed approach with a track record of building strong and trusted relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work autonomously and interface independently with senior members of the partnership.
• Strong management and leadership skills together with excellent skills in communication, influencing, negotiating, engagement and staff motivation. Also, sound organisational and presentational skills.
• Highest level of discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
• Innovative and proactive thinker with a proven ability to "get things done".
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and meet deadlines.
• Capable of developing and implementing strategy, policy and procedures.
• Proven track record encompassing operational, administrative and business experience.
• Must be flexible and diplomatic, but with ability to constructively challenge existing practices.
  
  A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 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 diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing. What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

We recognise 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 centre 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. We recognise the value of flexible working and embraces hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.