IT Applications Manager

JOB PURPOSE

As the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for key financial systems, including 3E, you will take full ownership of system performance, enhancements, and day-to-day operations while leading a team of Project Managers and Financial Applications Support Analysts. Your primary focus will be to ensure all projects align with the firm's strategic goals by collaborating with vendors to resolve issues, prioritizing customer-driven improvements, and streamlining workflows. Additionally, you will oversee the processing and validation of monthly invoices and provide critical support for quarterly and yearly budgeting processes.

Using project management tools such as Smartsheet and Microsoft Project, and leveraging agile or traditional methodologies, you will ensure timely, cost-effective implementations of system upgrades, migrations, and quality assurance initiatives. You will maintain open communication with stakeholders through regular updates, clearly outlining progress, risks, and next steps.

As a leader, you will foster a culture of excellence by empowering your team, driving accountability, and exploring innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency. Your focus on ownership, integrity, and accountability will strengthen the organization’s technology framework and support its long-term vision.

WHERE YOU WILL WORK

Flexible Work Schedule: Robins Kaplan LLP offers employees the benefit of flexible work schedules. This position has the option of working remotely 1 day per week.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop and Execute Strategic Plans: Define, deliver, and support technology implementation project plans for our key works systems that align with organizational goals. Conduct system audits to verify successful deployments and ensure adherence to standards while identifying areas for improvement.
• Lead Financial System Enhancements: Serve as the SME for key financial systems, such as 3E, overseeing updates, migrations, configurations, and performance optimization. Provide expert guidance to stakeholders to ensure financial systems meet business needs.
• Business Partnering and Stakeholder Engagement: Lead strategic Business Partnering meetings with stakeholders and internal teams to ensure alignment on project goals, timelines, and deliverables. Provide regular updates on project status, risks, and progress. Collaborate with vendors to resolve critical issues, prioritize customer-driven improvements, and coordinate system upgrades and enhancements. Gather and prioritize stakeholder requests, delivering solutions to improve workflows and maintain operational efficiency.
• Foster Team Leadership and Accountability: Build a culture of ownership, integrity, and accountability within the team. Mentor team members to encourage professional growth and ensure the delivery of consistent, high-quality results.
• Budgeting and Financial Oversight: Support quarterly and yearly budgeting processes while ensuring accurate processing and validation of monthly invoices. Track and report financial performance to align with organizational goals.
• Support Change Management Processes: Implement and manage change control methodologies to ensure smooth transitions during updates, system enhancements, and workflow adjustments.
• Improve Operational Efficiency: Identify and execute opportunities to optimize workflows, reduce redundancies, and enhance overall operational efficiency. Use data-driven insights to inform decision-making and continuous improvements.
• Utilize Tools and Technologies: Leverage advanced skills in project management tools, such as Smartsheet and Microsoft Project, along with key business software like Excel, to track progress, manage budgets, and generate reports that support decision-making.
• Drive Innovation and Alignment: Collaborate with business leaders to align technology initiatives with organizational goals. Proactively identify innovative technologies or methodologies that can deliver cost savings, enhance service delivery, or improve user satisfaction.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Technical Oversight and Problem-Solving: Demonstrate high-level technical understanding across diverse systems while using critical and analytical thinking to troubleshoot issues. Escalate problems promptly to minimize disruptions and ensure timely resolutions.
• Communication and Stakeholder Management: Provide clear and concise updates to stakeholders and leadership, ensuring alignment and transparency. Maintain confidentiality and ensure timely escalation of concerns while fostering trust and collaboration.
• Thoroughness and Quality Control: Follow rigorous change control methodologies to meet project deadlines with precision. Maintain attention to detail and deliver high-quality results that align with organizational goals.
• Organizational Skills and Accountability: Coordinate diverse resources, tasks, and timelines efficiently, taking ownership of project tasks from planning to delivery. Enforce deadlines, hold team members accountable, and balance multiple priorities while maintaining a customer-focused approach.
• Tools and Technology Proficiency: Leverage advanced skills in Excel, Word, and project management software to track progress, create reports, and drive efficiency. Adapt to evolving technologies and maintain a broad understanding of relevant platforms to ensure successful project execution.
• Adaptability and Analytical Thinking: Evaluate system needs and propose data-driven solutions while remaining flexible to shifting priorities. Preserve project objectives and user satisfaction by maintaining focus and adaptability throughout the project lifecycle.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS            

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
• A Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is strongly preferred, demonstrating advanced project management skills and expertise. Additional certifications, such as ITIL Foundation, Agile Scrum Master, or related credentials, are highly desirable and reflect the ability to align IT operations with organizational goals effectively.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF POSITION 

 Work is performed in a professional office environment and requires the following during the work day:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time (working at a computer)
• Ability to move/traverse about inside the office intermittently throughout the day (attend meetings, access file cabinets, obtain supplies from supply room, etc.)
• Operate computer and other office equipment such as a copy machine, printer, telephone, etc.
• Repetitive movement (i.e. heavy computer/keyboard use).
• Individual will interact regularly with others verbally, in-person, and via written communication.
• May require occasional light lifting (files, copy paper, etc.).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIY (if applicable) 

• Project Managers
• Financial Systems Support Analysts

IN ADDITION TO THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OUTLINED ABOVE

•  Individual in this position will provide additional assistance and support as directed by his/her supervisor.
•  This job description is subject to change at any time.

The estimated salary range for this position is $114,400 - $152,250 per year.  This is a exempt position not eligible for overtime. The compensation offered will be dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, education, professional background, overall qualifications, and geographic market location. 

It is the policy of Robins Kaplan LLP to provide equal employment opportunities for all without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. It is also our policy to work with individuals with disabilities when reasonable accommodations, sufficient to allow a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of their job, may be needed. It is our policy to be a workplace free from illegal discrimination and harassment.

At Robins Kaplan LLP, our commitment to diversity has been constantly renewed and revitalized since the founding of our firm in 1938. We recognize that the professionals we employ are our primary assets. Without skilled human resources, the legal advice and courtroom advocacy we provide to our clients is diminished. We are committed to advancing diversity by ensuring that fairness, respect and professional opportunity for everyone are integral to all of our recruiting, retention and promotion efforts. We believe that the diverse background of our people brings necessary and varied perspectives that enrich our practice of law. Those perspectives make us more than a diverse law firm; they make us a smart one.