Introduction
The Global eDiscovery Manager will serve as the second-in-command for the eDiscovery function, providing hands-on leadership, tactical execution, and strategic support across all aspects of the program. This role requires a collaborative leader who can manage complex workflows, lead cross-functional teams, and serve as a trusted advisor to internal and external stakeholders.
The Global eDiscovery Manager will report to the Global eDiscovery Senior Manager within the Legal Operations organization.
Your role and responsibilities
The ideal candidate combines deep hands-on eDiscovery expertise with strong program management, technology evaluation, vendor management, and process improvement experience. The role requires the ability to operate strategically while remaining engaged in complex case matters.
Key Responsibilities
Discovery Program Operations• Serve as the operational lead for the Global eDiscovery program, leading the day-to-day eDiscovery operations across the full eDiscovery lifecycle.
• Provide leadership and oversight to Program Managers, technical resources, vendors, and external service providers as needed.
• Drive consistency, defensibility, and quality across all discovery workflows.
• Monitor program-level metrics, reporting, and performance indicators.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements and cost optimization.
• Act on behalf of the Global eDiscovery Senior Manager as may be required.
Strategic Program Support• Partner closely with the Global eDiscovery Senior Manager to execute strategic initiatives and departmental objectives.
• Assist in developing and implementing global eDiscovery policies, standards, playbooks, governance frameworks, and operating procedures.
• Conduct periodic audits of eDiscovery processes, controls, workflows, and documentation.
• Support cross-functional initiatives involving Legal, CIO, Records Management, Privacy, Security, and Information Governance teams.
Technology and Vendor Management• Support evaluations of emerging eDiscovery, legal technology, AI, analytics, and automation solutions.
• Develop business cases and pilot programs for new technologies, and support their implementation, deployment, and adoption.
• Research industry trends and recommend technologies that improve efficiency, quality, and defensibility.
• Assist with implementation, deployment, adoption, and governance of newly approved technologies.
• Partner with technical teams and vendors to develop automated workflows and technology integrations.
• Manage vendor relationships, monitoring service levels and performance, and supporting budget management and cost-control initiatives.
Case Support and Strategy• Participate in matter intake and planning meetings involving high-risk or high-visibility matters. Support legal teams and outside counsel on complex cases with discovery strategy.
• Support assessment of complex matters for the appropriate use of TAR/CAL, advanced analytics, AI-assisted review, and emerging technologies.
• Provide best practice guidance regarding preservation, collections, processing, review workflows, analytics, and productions.
Training and Organizational Development• Develop and deliver training related to eDiscovery obligations, technologies, and best practices.
• Mentor Program Managers and other team members promote adoption of technology-enabled workflows and continuous learning.
• Serve as an escalation point for operational and technical issues for Program Managers and other team members.
Required education
Bachelor's Degree
Required technical and professional expertise
- 8+ years of eDiscovery program management experience, gained in-house, at a law firm, consultancy, or eDiscovery service provider.
- Experience managing complex global eDiscovery matters and programs.
- Deep, hands-on knowledge of the full eDiscovery lifecycle and workflows, including legal hold, preservation, collection, processing, review, production, and data disposition.
- Experience with global eDiscovery matters spanning multiple jurisdictions, data privacy regimes (e.g., GDPR), and cross-border production challenges.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent, complex matters with competing deadlines and shifting priorities.
- Significant experience interacting with and advising senior stakeholders, outside counsel, and cross-functional partners.
Technical Skills
- Hands-on proficiency with one or more leading eDiscovery platforms such as Relativity, Nuix, Hanzo, Reveal, or Everlaw.
- Experience with TAR/CAL workflows, predictive analytics, and AI-driven document review methodologies.
- Experience explaining and guiding legal teams on search algorithms, Boolean search logic, and analytics tools.
- Familiarity with modern enterprise productivity platforms and cloud-based data sources (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack, Teams).
- Deep understanding of the Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) and eDiscovery industry best practices.
Preferred technical and professional experience
- Project management or eDiscovery accreditations such as PMP, ACEDS, or RCA.
- Familiarity with AI-assisted review tools and a demonstrated desire to continue learning emerging AI methodologies.
- Strong project and time management skills with the ability to prioritize, solve problems, and meet deadlines under pressure.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to communicate technical specifics to non-technical audiences.
- Highly organized, with strong judgment and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to quickly learn new processes and systems and apply that knowledge effectively across matters.
- Strong ethical standards and commitment to compliance.
- Ability to support global teams, including occasional flexibility outside standard business hours when needed.
OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILSIBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:
- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being
- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs
- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law
- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals
- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences
This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.
IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.
The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.
