The Role
Lead and develop the firm's IT strategy and in-house team, oversee suppliers and infrastructure, ensure secure, resilient legal technology (Peppermint Explorer, DMS), drive AI adoption, data quality, and project governance to support growth and M&A.
Summary Generated by Built In
You will be responsible for the strategic leadership, operational performance and continual development of the firm's technology services, ensuring they support the firm's business objectives both now and in the future.
You will lead a skilled in-house IT team of seven, oversee key technology suppliers and outsourced development partners, and ensure technology remains secure, resilient, commercially effective and aligned with the firm’s strategic ambitions. This is a hands-on leadership role with real scope to shape the function.
This is an opportunity to shape a fully in-house technology function at a multi-site firm with growth ambitions. You will have genuine ownership of the IT agenda, working directly with the partnership and senior leadership to support sustainable growth, evolving service delivery, and future opportunities such as office expansion or M&A.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver the firm's IT strategy, ensuring technology supports business growth, operational efficiency and excellent client service
- Act as the principal technology adviser to the Managing Partner, Partners and senior leadership team.
- Lead technology transformation programmes and introduce or strengthen effective project, change and demand-management governance.
- Develop and deliver the firm's AI strategy, identifying secure, practical opportunities to improve legal service delivery, knowledge management and business efficiency.
- Own the strategic direction, operational performance and optimisation of the firm’s practice management system, Peppermint Explorer, alongside the legal document management system and wider legal technology platform.
- Set the direction for data quality, reporting and management information so that the firm has reliable insight for operational and strategic decisions.
- Manage the relationship with the third-party consultant developer supporting Peppermint, including mitigation of key-person dependency and oversight of bespoke development.
- Maintain oversight of the firm's infrastructure, Microsoft 365, Azure, cyber security, networking, business systems and technology architecture.
- Ensure the availability, security, resilience and continual improvement of all IT services, including disaster recovery, business continuity, cyber governance, monitoring and user awareness.
- Lead, develop and inspire the IT team, creating a collaborative, customer-focused and high-performing culture.
- Develop and manage the IT budget, technology roadmap and investment plans, presenting business cases and recommendations to senior leadership.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
You will have the technical credibility to lead experienced IT professionals, challenge technical decisions where appropriate and communicate complex technology concepts clearly to Partners and senior stakeholders. You will bring the gravitas, judgement and persuasion skills to work effectively with a partnership, Executive and Management Boards, building support for well-governed technology change.
Essential Experience
- Current or recent experience as a Head of IT, IT Director or equivalent senior technology leadership role within a UK law firm.
- Strong understanding of the operational and regulatory technology requirements of legal practice.
- Proven success developing and delivering technology strategies, digital transformation programmes, and structured project/change governance.
- Significant experience implementing and managing legal practise management systems, document management systems, and legal technology platforms.
- Demonstrable experience developing and embedding AI solutions within a professional services environment.
- Experience of data strategy, data quality, management information and reporting.
- Strong experience across Microsoft 365, Azure, cloud technologies, cyber security, infrastructure and enterprise systems.
- Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to work persuasively with Partners and senior leaders.
Technical Knowledge
You should possess broad technical knowledge across:
- Microsoft 365 and Azure
- Cloud infrastructure and networking
- Cyber security, identity management and security awareness
- Enterprise architecture and systems integration
- IT infrastructure and endpoint management
- Disaster recovery and business continuity
- Legal practice and document management systems
- AI technologies and enterprise AI integration
- Data governance, reporting and management information
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- ITIL Foundation (or higher).
- Relevant Microsoft certifications or equivalent technical qualifications.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
Desirable
- Microsoft Azure certifications.
- CISSP, CISM or equivalent cyber security qualification.
- TOGAF or Enterprise Architecture certification.
- PRINCE2 Practitioner, Agile or similar delivery methodology certification.
- AI, cloud or data-related professional certifications.
Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary, you will also get:
- Flexible Working
- 30 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays
- Extra Day of Holiday for your Birthday
- Private Healthcare
- Pension Scheme(s)
- Life Assurance
- Eye Tests
- Flu Jabs
- Corporate Gym Membership Discounts
- Legal Support
- Opportunities to get involved with charity fundraising, sports teams and office socials
About
Porter Dodson is an award-winning Top 200 UK Law Firm, providing commercial and private legal services to individuals and businesses across Somerset, Devon and Dorset.We're proud of a regional presence that gives clients the local connections and friendly in-person service they love. Being embedded in our local communities and market sectors gives our clients a superb service grounded in the real world.What makes Porter Dodson a great place to work is our people and our culture. Our team are the lifeblood of the firm, and we are fully committed to ensuring our team are motivated, well cared for, and fulfilling their potential at work. Our people are our priority, which is why we have such excellent staff retention rates and how we have sustained a gold accreditation from Investors in People since 2016.
Skills Required
- Current or recent experience as a Head of IT, IT Director or equivalent senior technology leadership role within a UK law firm.
- Strong understanding of operational and regulatory technology requirements of legal practice.
- Proven success developing and delivering technology strategies, digital transformation programmes, and structured project/change governance.
- Significant experience implementing and managing legal practice management systems (Peppermint Explorer) and document management systems.
- Demonstrable experience developing and embedding AI solutions within a professional services environment.
- Experience of data strategy, data quality, management information and reporting.
- Strong experience across Microsoft 365, Azure, cloud technologies, cyber security, infrastructure and enterprise systems.
- Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills, including working with Partners and senior leaders.
- Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- ITIL Foundation (or higher).
- Relevant Microsoft certifications or equivalent technical qualifications.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
- Microsoft Azure certifications.
- CISSP, CISM or equivalent cyber security qualification.
- TOGAF or Enterprise Architecture certification.
- PRINCE2 Practitioner, Agile or similar delivery methodology certification.
- AI, cloud or data-related professional certifications.
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The Company
What We Do
Porter Dodson is a full-service law firm providing expert legal advice and support across personal, business, and specialist sectors, helping clients navigate everything from family matters to corporate transactions.
