Head of Technology Projects – Top tier law firm (Flexibility to be Sydney or Melbourne)

The Head of Technology Projects at King & Wood Mallesons will oversee the planning and delivery of IT projects in a top-tier law firm, based in either Sydney or Melbourne. The role requires strong leadership, project management skills, and expertise in technology delivery frameworks. Responsibilities include managing project portfolios, guiding teams, and contributing to strategic decisions. This position offers a significant opportunity for career advancement in a dynamic environment.
• We are experiencing arguably the biggest technology shift of recent times – generative AI; digital workplace; cyber threat landscape. This role will be critically important in shaping and delivering our IT program.
• This is your chance to make an impact in a dynamic environment where your expertise will be valued, and your leadership will drive success.
• Elevate your career with a leading top tier law firm.
• Secure the position now and enjoy a fresh start in January.

Who are we?

A firm born in Asia, underpinned by world class capability.

With over 3000 lawyers in 26 global locations, we help our clients manage their risk and enable their growth. Our full-service offering combines un-matched top tier local capability complemented with an international platform.

Role

Reporting to the Melbourne-based CIO, and joining a wider Technology team of approximately 90, you will oversee the successful planning and delivery of the firm’s portfolio of Technology projects.

With flexibility to be Sydney or Melbourne based, leading a team of project managers and business analysts, you will bring extensive knowledge and understanding of project delivery frameworks and methodologies. This role will draw on your experience with resource and capacity planning, your strong financial, commercial, communication and analytical skills, and familiarity with all aspects of the technology stack.

This role will suit someone who thrives working in a high demand environment and brings a track record of effective governance, and delivery of technology-based solutions and transformation initiatives, to meet business priorities and outcomes.

Key responsibilities will be:
• Maintaining and implementing the Technology project portfolio framework ensuring alignment to the firm’s business priorities and needs
• Establishing and maintaining project management and delivery standards and procedures
• Governing and managing the portfolio of projects from demand pipeline to in-flight and project delivery
• Establishing clear measures of success, and tracking performance against success criteria
• Providing guidance and advice to the CIO and other stakeholders to balance the portfolio to address competing business priorities, resourcing, scheduling, and budget demands
• Preparing and presenting accurate and meaningful reports, updates, and recommendations
• Coaching, guiding, and mentoring the Technology Projects team to develop targeted and clear plans and to deliver high quality outcomes
• Providing direction, guidance, and support to the team’s project managers, business analysts, and project teams
• Applying project delivery methodologies, including agile and scrum principles, to manage projects as appropriate
• Overseeing reporting to the firm’s IT Governance Committee, and coordinate and lead IT Governance Committee meetings
• Leading the annual Technology portfolio Capex planning process, including recommendations for Capex funding and aligning the Technology portfolio to the firm’s business needs, delivery and change capacity, and investment appetite
• Member of the Technology Executive Team, contributing to key technology-related strategic, tactical, and commercial decisions

About You

As an experienced leader, capable of establishing and maintaining a sustainable high-performance culture, you thrive in a change-oriented environment, and seek and embrace opportunities to deliver technology-enabled business improvements and transformation.

This varied high-profile role needs more than just technical PM expertise and experience. Operating at this level in the firm will utilise your exceptional communication and influencing skills; your collegiate approach; and your critical thinking ability.

To set you up for success, this role will draw on your leadership experience with a mentorship style that encourages and supports your team to deliver to the quality and standard expected of a top tier law firm. You will also bring:
• Experience in a senior technology and governance role
• Experience with project management systems, tools and processes
• Experience with agile, scrum, waterfall and other project delivery methodologies and principles
• A strong understanding of resource and capacity planning strategies and techniques
• Ability to align technology delivery to business vision, strategy, and needs
• Ability to collaborate and motivate teams
• Strong commercial, financial awareness, and analytical skills
• Client experience mindset and proactive approach to delivering solutions
• Strong ability to build relationships with internal clients and technology staff at all levels
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong familiarity with the technology stack

As with most roles in Technology, flexibility to occasionally work outside normal business hours is required.

Next Steps

Please click ‘Apply Now’ to apply online with your cover letter summarising why you’re applying and your resume to support your experience.

Applications close COB Monday 2nd December 2024.

If you have any questions or need any further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Bridget on 02 9296 356.

Why work with us?

We promote a collaborative culture where people feel respected, valued and supported both personally and professionally, and where diversity and inclusion also play an important role in enhancing our knowledge, driving innovative solutions for our clients and creating positive social impact.

We live by our Principles, and strive for mastery in all that we do. We take pride in the high quality work we deliver. Working with colleagues and clients who are leaders in their fields, means the ability to explore new paths to progress with continual learning and development, career and leadership opportunities.

As part of the KWM community you’ll have access to a suite of wellbeing initiatives, benefits, policies and processes, to enable you to achieve your career goals.

At KWM, we’ll provide you with the platform to Learn, Master, Lead.