Associate Director Infrastructure Service Operations EMEA

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is one of the world’s leading international law firms. The Firm was established in 1884 and has more than 1,000 lawyers. Headquartered in New York with offices in Beijing, Brussels, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Palo Alto, São Paulo, Tokyo and Washington, D.C., the Firm provides coordinated legal advice and transactional capability to clients around the globe.

Description/Job Summary

Simpson Thacher is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate Director of Infrastructure Operations to play a crucial role in the efficient and effective execution of our operational strategies. Reporting directly to the Associate Director of Business Services and Transformation, this individual will be instrumental in optimizing processes, managing key projects, and ensuring seamless day-to-day operations across European and APAC regions. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a proven track record of driving engineering and operational excellence, leading cross-functional teams, and implementing impactful improvements. This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and strong leadership skills, with a focus on technical proficiency across network, server, and platform operations.

Responsibilities/Duties

• Operational Management and Leadership: Oversee the day-to-day operations of assigned areas, ensuring smooth and efficient workflows and point of escalation. Provide guidance and direction to staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment. Manage and evaluate staff performance, including performance reviews, coaching, and development. Contribute to strategic planning for assigned areas, aligning with the overall departmental and organizational strategic plan.
• Technical Operations Management: Partner with technical engineering teams and their leadership to manage and optimize the performance of network, server, and platform infrastructure in the region to ensure high availability, security, and scalability. Oversee the implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of IT systems in the region as directed and coordinated by appropriate engineering teams. Ensure compliance with IT security policies and best practices, including vulnerability management, access control, and data protection. Manage relationships with technology vendors and service providers within the region. Drive the adoption of new technologies to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness in partnership with technical engineering teams.
• Process Optimization and Efficiency: Analyze current operational processes, including technical workflows, to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement. Develop and implement streamlined workflows, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and best practices to enhance productivity and reduce costs. Utilize data analysis and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor operational performance, identify trends, and drive data-informed decision-making. Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) to optimize processes and enhance operational effectiveness.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with other departments and technical teams to ensure operational needs are met and aligned with overall business goals. Facilitate effective communication and information sharing across teams to ensure operational alignment. Work collaboratively to address operational challenges, resolve issues, and implement effective solutions.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure operational processes comply with relevant regulations, policies, and internal standards, including IT-related compliance requirements. Identify and assess operational risks, including those related to IT infrastructure and security, and develop and implement mitigation strategies. Contribute to the development and implementation of business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
• Reporting and Analysis: Develop and present regular reports on operational performance, key metrics, and project status to the Director of Operations and other stakeholders. Analyze data to identify trends, insights, and opportunities for improvement, and make recommendations based on findings. Assist in the development of operational budgets and forecasts.

Required Skills

• Proven track record of driving operational improvements and achieving measurable results.
• Strong project management skills and experience managing complex projects, including technical deployments.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities with experience in leading, managing, and developing teams.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in tools such as Tanium, Absolute, Managed Engine Asset Manager, SNOW, Auvik, Thousand Eyes, ADEM, etc. a plus.
• Strong understanding of business principles and practices.

Technical Proficiency:

• In-depth knowledge of network infrastructure, including LAN/WAN, routers, switches, firewalls, and protocols.
• Solid understanding of server administration, including Windows Server and/or Linux, virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V), and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure).
• Experience with platform management, including database systems, application servers, and cloud services.
• Knowledge of IT security best practices and compliance frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST).
• Familiarity with automation and scripting tools (e.g., PowerShell, Python) is a plus.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) is highly desirable.

Required Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.

8-10 years of progressive experience in operations management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

Details

Salary and Benefits: Competitive

Hybrid: Monday-Thursday in office, ability to WFH on Fridays

Equal Opportunities

Simpson Thacher is committed to ensuring that everyone can reach their full potential, irrespective of background, identity, or circumstance. We know that we are at our best when we bring together diverse experiences and perspectives. This is why we are focused on fostering a collegial environment which maximises collaboration, empowering every individual to thrive and succeed.