Legal Careers

The Information Technology Director oversees all aspects of the firm’s technical infrastructure and operations, ensuring the secure and efficient operation of technical systems and processes, and aligning technology initiatives with the Firm’s strategic plans.

• Full-time and salaried position
• Reports to firm’s Management Committee and Chair of the firm’s Computer Committee
• Grand Rapids, MI (Onsite and possibly some hybrid remote)
• Candidates will be asked if they are eligible to work in the US without sponsorship

Duties And Responsibilities

• Collaborates with leadership on strategic direction for systems, solutions, and technical architecture
• Oversees the complete lifecycle of software and hardware systems, including requirements gathering, management, testing, and support
• Evaluates emerging technologies and align them with business goals
• Initiates and prioritizes project requests and timelines to meet deadlines and stay within budget
• Maintains a comprehensive IT strategy that supports the firm’s objectives, and conducts regular assessments of current technology to evaluate whether to recommend upgrades or new technologies to improve security
• Researches issues relating to technology solution and application software and keeps current on developments in this industry as they pertain to the various systems in our office
• Coordinates with stakeholders to ensure technology projects meet user needs and expectations
• Guides internal and external teams to deliver on projects
• Develops and enforces policies, best practices, and technology standards to protect the firm’s data and systems
• Oversees the maintenance of firm servers and databases to ensure the reliability and performance of technology systems and services
• Manages relationships with vendors, service providers, and external partners
• Works with the Management Committee and Directors/Managers to establish and maintain appropriate written contracts with third parties for the provision of technology products, services, and solutions
• Effectively prioritizes and remedies the users’ day-to-day problems associated with system operation
• Minimizes lawyer/staff down time by ensuring that all elements of the firm’s system’s redundancy plan are functioning properly
• Thoroughly documents and diagrams the structure of the office-wide systems in a user-friendly format
• Maintains complete and detailed inventory of all firm software and hardware
• Maintains the correct number of software licenses to assure that the firm is in compliance with the various licensing agreements of the software being used by the firm
• Implements training programs to enhance users’ technology skills and knowledge, including cybersecurity awareness training
• Manages the security of firm software and data files through nightly and weekly system backups. Ensures that the virus scan software is up-to-date and apprises those on the Computer Systems and Technology Committee of any risks to system security
• Outlines system development projects and completes projects along timelines agreed to by the Computer Systems and Technology Committee
• Prepares and presents annual budget proposal for capital and software purchases related to the office systems
• Administers all office-wide computer systems in a highly skilled manner in order to maximize the benefit of the firm’s investment in office technology
• Works well with the other directors/managers, Management Committee, attorneys, and staff
• Provides regular updates to Computer Systems and Technology Committee, Management Committee, and provides updates to users where appropriate
• Contributes ideas and useful commentary to the visioning and planning process of management
• Actively participates in the periodic changeover of the software systems utilized by the firm and quickly acquires the knowledge to use the software features well
• Participates in seminars and educational opportunities during the review period to further continued education with systems technology
• Respects and enforces the confidentiality of all client information and firm information

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of Microsoft Active Directory and Azure
• Administration and deployment via Group Policies
• Microsoft environment
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality solutions and initiatives from concept to delivery
• Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Assists with general tech items. Providing detailed instruction in a way to meeting everyone’s needs based on the users understanding of the systems in question
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Service Orientation – Actively looking for ways to help people
• Complex Problem Solving – Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• Equipment Selection – Assist in determining the necessary tools and equipment needed to do a job
• Quality Control Analysis – Conducting assessments to evaluate quality or performance
• Judgment and Decision Making – Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Systems Evaluation – Identifying measures or indicators of performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance
• Management of Financial Resources – Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures
• Attendance – As a leader inside the organization ensuring that scheduled meetings are prioritized and attended

This job description outlines the primary duties and responsibilities of the Information Technology Director. It is not an exhaustive list and may be subject to change to meet the evolving needs of the firm.

Benefits include health, dental, vision, life, long and short-term disability, long-term care insurances, generous 401(k) contributions, paid time off, paid holidays, paid covered parking, and a pleasant work environment.

If interested, please send your resume to Kim Kooy, Mika Meyers, 900 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI  49503, or by email to kkooy@mikameyers.com.   No phone calls please.  Mika Meyers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.