Job Purpose

The Director of Information Systems is responsible for (i) visioning, structuring, planning and implementing information and technology resources for the firm, (ii) achieving of the firm’s technology goals, standards, best practices, and processes, and (iii) providing strategic guidance to Chief Operating Officer and the firm’s Executive Committee. The Director of Information Systems will develop and implement overall IT strategy, including technology and systems management and development.  Overall responsibility for effective functioning of all IT services in support of all firm operations.  Evaluate and advise on selection and implementation of technology solutions.  Plan, direct, and coordinate resources and activities in information systems and systems analysis.  Define and communicate IT policy and procedure.

Tasks

• Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures in regard to information systems and strategy.
• Lead the firm’s information systems audit and compliance program
• Interface with outside auditors in representing the firm’s information security program.
• Evaluate the organization's technology use and needs and recommend improvements, such as hardware and software upgrades. Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to assess computing needs and system requirements.  Develop and oversee a comprehensive program of user training.
• Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems within existing systems operations.
• Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
• Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.
• Evaluate information systems and data processing proposals to assess project feasibility and requirements.  Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
• Overall management of information systems operations, including LAN, WAN, backup, security, disaster recovery and user help systems.

• Stay abreast of advances in technology. Research new technologies by attending seminars, reading trade articles, or taking classes, and implement or recommend the implementation of new technologies.

• Prepare and manage operational and capital budget and expenditures, on both a fiscal year and project basis.

Work Activities

• Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
• Work as a team member
• Thinking creatively
• Updating and using relevant knowledge
• Project management techniques
• Evaluating information to determine compliance with standards
• Guiding, directing, and motivating subordinates
• Interpreting the meaning of information for others

Basic Skills

• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
• Teaching others how to do something.

Essential Qualifications and Abilities

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive work experience that includes implementing and maintaining technology for an organization with over 100 users.
• Minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role with decision-making authority, preferably as the director of information technology.
• Experience with a professional services business i.e. (law firm or CPA firm). Law firm experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Technical Skills

• Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
• Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• CISSP, Security+ or other relevant information security certifications preferred
• Excellent project management skills and a track record of completing projects on time, on budget, and with great acceptance.
• Experience with security compliance and audits. Experience with the PCI-DSS is a plus
• Experience managing primary and backup offsite data centers.

System Skills

• Working knowledge or familiarity with the following:
  • Microsoft Active Directory
  • Microsoft Windows Environment
  • Microsoft Hybrid Exchange
  • Office 365 and related applications
  • Switches, servers, desktop and notebooks; Microsoft Surfaces and laptops
  • Mobile devices and applications including Microsoft Intune, iPhones and Androids
  • Deep technical knowledge including proven experience evaluation, selecting and architecting SAN/ SD-WAN/Cloud/Virtual solutions
  • Citrix remote access
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • VOIP systems
  • Web technologies including intranet/extranet/collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft SharePoint – Online, MS Teams, cloud based storage, etc.
• Security solutions including anti-spam, anti-virus malware, IDS/IPS, firewalls and encryption

Resource Management Skills

• Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
• Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.
• Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.