Senior Manager, Information Governance

Job Summary

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in New York or Washington D.C., the Senior Manager of Information Governance will play a key leadership role in designing, implementing, and managing the Firm’s information governance strategy across its global footprint. This role partners closely with OGC, IT, Records, Compliance, Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Practice Group leadership to ensure that Firm information is managed in a manner that is secure, compliant, efficient, and aligned with business and regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in information governance within complex, highly regulated environments—preferably large law firms or professional services organizations—and combines technical fluency with strong judgment, diplomacy, and execution skills. The Senior Manager will be responsible for drafting and maintaining IG policies, matter mobility, legal holds, ethical walls, information lifecycle management, data minimization, data classification initiatives, data standardization, cleanup, and reporting efforts.

This role reports to the Director of Conflicts & Information Governance.

Responsibilities include:

Information Governance Strategy & Program Management

• Support the development, execution, and ongoing refinement of the Firm’s enterprise information governance framework, policies, and standards.
• Serve as a thought partner to senior leadership on emerging information governance risks, trends, and best practices.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define data ownership, roles, and responsibilities.
• Implement Data Steering Committee/Data Council to ensure proper governance across the entire organization.
• Monitor, assess, and improve the quality of data across the Firm’s databases and systems by implementing data quality standards and validation processes to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Implement data classification and categorization of data based on sensitivity and legal requirements.
• Work closely with IT and security teams to implement and maintain data security measures.

• Oversee policies and processes governing information classification, retention, defensible disposition, and legal holds.
• Partner with Records Management and IT to ensure consistent application of retention schedules across physical and electronic repositories.
• Ensure defensibility of information lifecycle practices in the context of litigation, investigations, and regulatory inquiries.

• Monitor and assess global regulatory developments affecting information governance, including privacy, data protection, and professional responsibility obligations.
• Translate regulatory, legal, and risk requirements into practical, scalable governance solutions.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Privacy, and Risk teams to ensure alignment across governance, privacy, and cybersecurity initiatives.
• Support audits, assessments, and responses to client or regulatory inquiries related to information governance practices.

• Work closely with IT and vendors to evaluate, implement, and optimize technologies supporting information governance (e.g., retention tools, RMS, matter mobility, ethical walls).
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and reduce risk through automation and analytics.

• Act as a key liaison between administrative departments, practice groups, and firm leadership.
• Develop and deliver training and awareness programs to promote compliance and adoption of information governance policies.
• Provide practical guidance to attorneys and staff on information governance issues in day-to-day operations.

• Supervise or mentor information governance staff, as applicable.
• Manage projects, timelines, and deliverables across multiple workstreams.
• Contribute to budgeting, vendor management, and strategic planning for the information governance function.

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of information lifecycle management, retention, legal holds, and defensible disposition.
• Familiarity with U.S. and international data protection and privacy frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior attorneys, firm leadership, and technical teams.
• Excellent attention to detail, critical thinking, and analytical skills
• Ability to work proactively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to deliver a high level of customer service
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-expectations environment.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (JD, MLS, MIS, or similar) strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in information governance, records management, compliance, or related fields, preferably in a large law firm or professional services environment.

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Compensation & Benefits:

The annual compensation range for this position is $180-210k. The salary offered within this range will depend upon qualifications and other operational considerations.

Benefits offered for this position include health care; retirement benefits; paid days off, including sick time, and vacation time; parental leave; basic life insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; as well as discretionary, performance-based bonuses.

Locations:

New York, Washington, D.C.

EEO Statement

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all partners, employees and applicants and, in accordance with the applicable federal and state laws, does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, religion, matriculation or political affiliation, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, age, marital status or partnership status, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, personal appearance, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, arrest or conviction record, or on any other basis prohibited by law.