IT Director of Applications

Fish & Richardson, the premier global intellectual property law firm, is trusted by the world’s most innovative and influential companies. Fish was established in 1878, and now has more than 400 attorneys and technology specialists in the U.S., Europe, and China. Our success is rooted in our creative and inclusive culture, which values the diversity of people, experiences, and perspectives. Join Fish’s Delaware team in our fast-paced Information Technology Department as an IT Director of Applications.

How Will You Make a Difference?

• Work with the CIO in the development and budgeting of application operations. Key aspects of this role include process improvement, project coordination, planning, and execution along with strategy and roadmaps.
• Consistent with the Firm’s Strategic Technology Plans, assist in the selection, development, and implementation of firm applications, including maintaining liaison relationships with functional user groups.
• Manage the firm’s IT application support team which is responsible for the day-to-day operational support of the firm’s 3rd party vendor application portfolio and ensure these applications meet the firm’s operational and performance requirements. This could include contractor and/or vendor support resources.
• Lead the strategic planning, recommendations and project management for the selection, testing, implementation, and monitoring of ethical AI systems, ensuring compliance with regulations and firm policies.
• Collaborate with department leadership on the testing of new and/or updated custom applications and ensure the necessary downstream adjustments are successfully implemented.
• Actively participate in the firm’s disaster recovery planning and assurance programs. This includes but is not limited to policy development, application redundancy implementation, testing, and documentation.
• Oversee the development of guidelines, processes, best practices and standard operating procedures for applications and electronic data support systems.
• Coordinate with other IT management, operations departments, and practice groups as needed for implementation of projects, and application software and hardware upgrades.
• Serve as a positive role model and mentor and perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s attorneys, management, and employees; efficient and effective departmental operations; and an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.

What Will You Bring to the Table?

• Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, Business or Information Technology. Advanced degree preferred.
• 10 years’ of experience in an applications support and/or IT management role.
• 10 years’ experience managing staff with a proven ability to lead people and achieve results.
• 10 years’ law firm operations experience with in-depth law firm application knowledge including but not limited to: accounting/finance, document management, practice management, docketing, SQL reporting, and Microsoft O365 applications.
• Demonstrated applications/software troubleshooting capabilities.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to maintain effective firm-wide relationships with partners, attorneys, clients, and staff, in person and via telephone. Ability to maintain relationships and provide service firm wide.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills with both technical and non-technical personnel and excellent platform speaking skills.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, develop, and contribute to quality team relationships and foster a team-oriented environment.
• Project management expertise to design, direct, and implement best practices and processes that minimize risk and maximize opportunities for the firm and its clients through the efficient and cost-effective processing of work.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including critical thinking, risk-taking and creativity.
• Possess the managerial skills necessary in order to interact and communicate with team members, provide instruction and direction, determine work priorities, and coordinate the activities of a team. Ability to manage team members in various positions and geographic locations.
• Strong goal-setting and strategic planning skills to support the evolution of practice technologies; aptitude for continuous improvement.
• Ability to commute to the office on occasion as needed for meetings/collaboration.

Why Fish?

When you join our team, we offer:

• Competitive pay and discretionary bonus opportunities along with a rich benefits package, including comprehensive medical and dental coverage, generous paid time off, and tuition reimbursement
• Award-winning retirement and profit sharing plans with employer contribution
• A family-friendly atmosphere with back-up child care, as well as health and wellness initiatives
• A positive culture awarded an Outstanding Workplace designation in 2023 and 2024 by People Insight based on our high levels of employee engagement

Our Commitment to Diversity

As a firm that serves the world’s greatest visionaries, we know that creativity and innovation are the result of seeing the world from multiple different perspectives. Having a diverse team enhances the quality of legal services we provide to our clients, sustains our standing as a premier IP law firm, and strengthens the fabric of our firm.