Director of Digital Workplace Technology

Cooley is seeking a Director of Digital Workplace Technology to join the IS/Digital Workplace team.

Position summary: The Director of Digital Workplace Technology will focus on delivering maximum value to the business through the development and execution of a comprehensive digital workplace strategy that enhances productivity, collaboration, engagement, and the firm's ability to deliver superior legal services. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong interpersonal skills and a deep understanding of the technologies and best practices to create a seamless and efficient law firm digital work environment. This role works closely with third-party vendors, consultants, executives, partners, firm committees, business management and various information technology teams including applications, platforms, security, innovation and development.

The Director of Digital Workplace Technology provides leadership in establishing best practices for collaboration and integration between information technology, firm operations and innovation groups. This role will continuously improve these best practices to increase effective execution of all digital workplace initiatives firm wide. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning: Develop, implement and maintain a digital workplace strategy aligned with the firm's values, business goals and objectives. Identify goals, objectives and metrics consistent with the firm's strategic plan. Partner with innovation departments to understand key strategic collaboration points to optimize operations and outcomes within both groups
• Technology Integration: Oversee the selection, implementation, and management of digital tools and platforms aligned with the firm's digital workplace strategy, including (but not limited to) document management solutions, collaboration platforms, task management and personal productivity solutions, Microsoft 365 applications, hybrid work solutions, compute devices, office productivity and smart workplace technologies, communication and connectivity technologies, digital experience platforms, artificial intelligence solutions and features and other enterprise applications supporting firm operations
• Digital Workplace Change Management: Lead change management initiatives related to the digital workplace strategy to ensure successful adoption of digital workplace solutions across the firm, taking into account the nuances associated with the firm's legal practice groups and operational groups. These change management efforts will also encompass best practices for the user facing support and education functions of the IS department
• Stakeholder Engagement: Regularly and effectively collaborate with senior leadership across the firm, and other key stakeholders, to drive digital workplace initiatives
• User Experience: Focus on improving the user experience by ensuring digital tools are intuitive, accessible, and meet the needs of all employees
• Adoption: Establish and oversee efforts to increase appropriate adoption of digital workplace technologies through the use of coaching, training, and online delivery methods
• Performance Metrics: Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and impact of digital workplace strategy initiatives
• Market Awareness: Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to continuously improve and innovate the digital workplace experience
• Team Leadership: Build, mentor and lead a high-performing team of digital workplace professionals. Oversee business professionals as appropriate on centralized and distributed projects
• Other:
• Oversee the structure and management of assigned areas to effectively meet the needs of the firm's business professionals, attorneys and clients
• Provide annual budget figures for system support, training, travel, staff development and all related project work. Participate in routine financial modeling, budgeting and financial forecasting. Supply technology road maps and program assessment to assist with long term budgeting of IS initiatives
• Develop and implement departmental policies and procedures to ensure uniform compliance with all firm policies
• In consultation with central HR, develop and coordinate orientation and training programs for team business professionals to ensure the group receives training necessary for the firm's needs, and that the team receives developmental opportunities and mentorship
• Serve as direct supervisor and mentor to direct reports
• Provide day-to-day supervision of direct reports, ensure compliance with assigned work hours and monitor for compliance with all firm and department policies. Manage staffing coverage, review and process time logs/time off requests
• Determine temporary personnel needs and work with central HR on sourcing and placements;
• Support business professional development and continued educational opportunities
• In collaboration with immediate supervisor and CN HR, participate in hiring, performance appraisals, counseling, termination and other employee lifecycle events
• Develop, evaluate and implement long and short-term goals and objectives for assigned teams
• Recommend, plan, implement, administer and evaluate effectiveness of services and resources of assigned teams
• All other duties as assigned or required

Skills and experience:

Required:

• After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
• Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required
• Ability to travel, as required
• 10+ years' direct relevant exempt-level experience with 5+ years of management experience
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, technology, communications or a related field
• Experience managing teams responsible for and working on:
• Digital workplace technology deployment and adoption in a law firm setting
• Change management initiatives in a law firm setting
• Progressive experience with digital workplace and technology adoption initiatives, including experience in a large, multi-office environment
• Experience working with business leadership with some fiscal responsibilities
• Project management experience
• Prior experience overseeing vendor relationships

Preferred:

• Relevant advanced degree, such as JD or MBA, preferred
• Prior law firm experience
• Supervisory experience

Competencies:

• Proven track record of effective leadership and mentorship of others, including contractors and vendors
• Proficiency in effectively and creatively communicating ideas to various levels of stakeholders, including the legal practice community
• Proven strong strategic thinker regarding technologies used to provide legal services across multiple technology disciplines
• Exhibits a deep understanding of and experience in interfacing with legal practices across multiple disciplines
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills
• Ability to meet deadlines, conduct and direct research into digital workplace issues, technologies and strategies
• Expert consultative and strategic thinking skills
• Visionary, creative and innovative thinker
• Expert ability to synthesize facts, trends and key issues in complex situations
• Exceptional customer service skills with strong services orientation
• Proven successful track record as project and people manager in technical initiatives
• Professional demeanor with excellent communication (verbal and written) skills; must listen effectively and respond appropriately to complex and challenging situations in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication skills regarding technical and user documentation
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong team player who can successfully interact with all levels of business professionals
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects
• Deep understanding of digital tools, technologies, and best practices
• Experience with change management and driving organizational transformation
• Strong analytical, problem solving, evaluative and project management skills
• Familiarity with budgeting, financial analysis and asset management within the context of a technical operation
• Proactive, high energy, creative self-starter
• Ability to recognize and anticipate cost factors of digital workplace technologies

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices. EOE.

The expected annual pay range for this position with a full-time schedule is $300,000 - $375,000.

Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 25 days of Paid Time Off ("PTO") and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.