At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the IT strategy for a dynamic law firm, driving technology transformation.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking law firm with ambitious growth plans and a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 30 days holiday, private healthcare, and more perks.
- Other info: Be part of a high-performing team with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by leading innovative tech initiatives in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior IT roles within legal practice and strong technical knowledge required.
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 practice 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
Head of IT employer: Porter Dodson
Porter Dodson is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible working environment that prioritises collaboration and individual career growth. With a competitive salary, 30 days of annual leave, and an annual bonus structure, employees are encouraged to thrive while engaging with high-quality clients in a dynamic team setting at the Exeter office.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Porter Dodson values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Porter Dodson might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Porter Dodson!
✨Direct Apply to Porter Dodson
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Porter Dodson website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Porter Dodson.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Porter Dodson. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Porter Dodson
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
