Director of IT - Law Firm

Hawkins Parnell & Young, LLP is seeking an experienced IT Director. The IT Director will oversee all aspects of the firm’s technological infrastructure, applications oversight, and technology partnerships, ensuring systems are secure, efficient, and meet the needs of our legal staff. This role is critical in driving the technological strategy, supporting day-to-day IT operations, and managing the implementation of new software and systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in network engineering, Microsoft environments (Azure and premise), IT management and planning, with experience in legal environments, and a strategic mindset to align technology initiatives with the firm’s goals. Some experience with AI is a plus. Responsibilities: Strategic IT Leadership: Develop and implement the firm’s IT strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, client needs, and regulatory requirements. Team Management: Manage the outsourced IT vendor to deliver timely IT services, resolve issues, and improve system efficiency. Infrastructure Partner Management: Oversee the firm’s IT infrastructure Managed Services, including networks, servers, cloud solutions, and storage. Ensure high availability, security, and reliability of all systems. Cybersecurity & Data Privacy: Ensure the security of the firm’s data, networks, and systems, implementing best practices for cybersecurity and compliance with legal regulations Technology Support & Troubleshooting: Provide support for day-to-day IT issues, overseeing internal and partner helpdesk services including escalations, firmwide and leadership communications, and resolving technical challenges for legal staff and management. System Development & Integration: Evaluate, implement, and integrate legal technologies (e.g., document management systems, billing software, case management tools) to improve efficiency and client service. Budget Management: Develop and manage the IT department’s budget, ensuring cost-effective solutions while meeting the firm’s technology needs. Vendor Management: Coordinate with external technology vendors and service providers for hardware, software, and support services. Ensure contractual agreements are met and services are optimized. Training & Documentation: Provide ongoing training to staff on new technologies, software, and best practices. Maintain documentation for all systems and procedures. Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity: Ensure the firm has a robust disaster recovery plan and business continuity strategy, with regular testing and updates to minimize downtime in case of system failures or security breaches. Qualifications: Experience: 2-3 years of foundational network, data center, and application engineering experience. 5+ years of experience in IT management, including at least 2 years in a leadership role. Proven experience in managing IT systems in a law firm. In-depth knowledge of legal software (e.g., document management, case management, billing systems, e-discovery tools) and familiarity with the legal industry’s specific IT needs. Strong understanding of cybersecurity, data privacy regulations, and IT compliance. Familiarity with disaster recovery and business continuity planning Experience with managing IT budgets and cost optimization Skills: Strong project management and problem-solving abilities. Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical staff. Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills. Ability to think on your feet. Excellent leadership and team management skills. Benefits: We offer a competitive salary complemented by a full, comprehensive benefits package including affordable health insurance, paid parental leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short and long-term disability, 401(k) and Profit Sharing. We are fully committed to the importance of diversity and at Hawkins Parnell. We strongly encourage all who meet our qualifications to apply. Hawkins Parnell & Young is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.