Senior Data Strategist

Who We Are

At Benesch we pride ourselves on exceeding expectations and building trust not only with our clients but with our employees - Benesch's #1 asset. Committed to providing not only the highest level of legal service to our clients, Benesch also aspires to create a positive work environment for our employees. Our Firm continues to earn placement on Chicago and Cleveland's Top Workplaces list, along with Cleveland's NorthCoast 99 Top Workplaces rankings. We also continue to advance on the AmLaw 150 list, placing us among the top 150 law firms in the country.

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We are Cleveland's second largest law firm, and have offices in Chicago, Columbus, San Francisco, New York City and Wilmington. We continue to expand our geographic footprint and value the talent that comprises each of our locations. If you are someone who champions a First in Service approach and are ready to be part of an exciting and growing Firm, we would invite you to apply to join our team.

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Benesch is proud to announce the opening for an Senior Data Strategist in our Cleveland office. This position is hybrid and has work from home flexibility.

Position Summary:

The Senior Data Strategist is a pivotal role in the creation and evolution of the Firm's data strategies model. This role leverages a blend of technical and business data skillsets to execute a collaborative plan to execute and manage data strategy outcomes. This person works with IT leads and cross-team data stakeholders to understand, map and implement data strategy for the Firm. This includes but not limited to Marketing, Finance, Client Analyst/Practice Management Teams, IT and Business Data owners to formulate/deliver/iterate data strategies, monitor appropriate cost/value levels, evaluate new platforms/paths, and adhere to common data protection and security models. Ultimately, this position champions interconnecting and exposing the value of all Benesch data sets to value outcomes and leads the Firm's data path strategy, data security, and ongoing data maturity initiatives. The Senior Data Strategist also assists in the Firm's AI strategy related to data/content use and the ability to leverage.

Essential Functions:

Data Pathing Strategic Leader

1. Develops and implements a comprehensive data path strategy that aligns with Firm objectives.

2. Collaborates with key data stakeholders to map current data demands, prioritize data initiatives, and establish common value paths. Creates a process to align and implement new data use requests within established timelines/frameworks.

3. Learns and digests disparate intel and formulates a collaborative plan using critical thinking and selling business value to stakeholders.

4. Oversees the Firm data framework, data integration requests, and processes to ensure data accuracy, consistency, secure/appropriate access and resiliency.

5. Monitors industry trends and emerging data technologies to identify opportunities for path and platforms optimization.

6. Assists in evolving the Firm's AI strategy as it relates to data/content use, quality, and ability to leverage.

Firm Data Programs & Platform Maturity Management:

1. Evaluates the firm's existing data platforms.

2. Establishes best practices to manage strategic data use outcomes.

3. Develops and executes a continual roadmap to enhance platform maturity and value.

4. Collaborates with IT on data security and governance best practices, data quality standards, and data integration projects.

5. Works directly with primary data stakeholders to define tactical steps to implement Firm data standards and strategy within their respective areas.

Data Governance and Compliance Alignment:

1. Works with appropriate stakeholders in IT/Firm Governance to ensure compliance with relevant data protection regulations, data privacy and client OCG compliance requirements.

2. Works with legal and compliance teams to adhere to data compliance policies.

3. Supplies general knowledge of data security, privacy best practices and regulations.

Data Demand and Trends Analysis:

1. Maintains primary data maps by location, use, primary stakeholder with demands metrics.

2. Provides insights into data trends and performance metrics.

3. Assists in data-driven decision-making by providing actionable recommendations based on data analysis, industry trends and vendor recommendations.

4. Collaborates with stakeholders to leverage data value and data use approaches.

5. Identifies opportunities and challenges to strategic data plan.

Additional Responsibilities:

1. Builds effective relationships, consensus and interest amongst disparate groups.

2. Observes data needs from multiple perspectives (Analyst, End-user, Stakeholder) and understands their value propositions.

3. Other duties as assigned.

Confidentiality:

Due to the nature of employment in a law firm, various documents and information, which are confidential in nature, will be accessible. Such documents and information must be kept confidential at all times.

Qualifications:

The Senior Data Strategist must have a Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field. Professional services or legal industry experience is a plus. 5-7+ years of practical experience driving and implementing data strategy programs around modern data models and evolving data technology targets is required. Must be able to align communication style to convey strategy and targets at all levels of the organization. The Senior Data Strategist must have proven results in data strategy development, implementation and value outcomes; and strong familiarity with current data platforms and emerging technologies, including databases, data lakes, and business intelligence tools. Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments, stakeholders and competing interests is essential. The Senior Data Strategist should have applicable product knowledge around Modern Data Lakes, Cloud PaaS data tools (i.e. - Fabric, Boomi, Snowflake), MS SQL and M365 platforms and tools experience (Power BI, Power Query, Tableau) using common databases and established methodologies.

Benesch is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability (where applicant is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations), medical condition, protected veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require special assistance or an accommodation during the process due to a disability should contact the Benesch Human Resources Department by phone at 216-363-4578 or email at