Senior Manager of Data Solutions Engineering

We are a Firm where people truly believe in what they do and strive to achieve the highest standards of performance and success.

General Description:

The Senior Manager of Data Solutions Engineering is responsible for the development and management of the Firm's data warehouse / lakehouse, data analytics platforms, and related processes. This role contributes to the implementation and on-going support of the firm's cloud data systems and analytics tools and processes.

The Senior Manager works with technology, knowledge, business services, and practice teams to discover the firm's key operational data, assess intelligence and analytics needs, develop and communicate plans for data lake and analytics platform implementation, develop and support the firm's AI programs and applications, execute technical implementation of data platforms, and provide ongoing service, support, and planning for continued enhancements and user engagement.

This role within our Data Strategy function partners closely with the Information Technology department and data and intelligence solutions teams in the development and delivery of the firm's data platforms. This role contributes to digital transformation programs, provides technical and business process support, and serves as the primary contact for internal resources, such as the Information Technology department, as well as external resources including vendors and consultants.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

• Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of data platforms. This role will be responsible for configuring and maintaining data warehouse / lakehouse and related code base and schemas for the firm, including integrations with Finance, HR, Marketing and other firm-related database applications.
• Develop, document, and maintain key data integration processes in support of projects and ongoing services. Provide data integration services in support of local and hosted environments for enterprise applications including the use of APIs and other connection methods.
• Design, implement and maintain scalable and reliable data pipelines, data quality and transformation processes, and databases to support a variety of data and analytics needs.
• Oversee the appropriate sourcing, evaluation, selection, and utilization of data engineering tools, particularly emerging artificial intelligence-enabled products.
• Support the custom development and implementation of proprietary Machine Learning, LLM and AI enabled products, including the selection and engagement of solutions partners, development of grounding, RAG, vectorizing, and related technical protocols and procedures. Support to use-case evaluation and product design and implementation.
• Manage and optimize data processing systems to enhance performance, improve reliability and optimize cost.
• Build cross-functional relationships with software engineers, solutions engineers, and other business stakeholders to collaboratively create solutions, development standards, and support business processes.
• Partner with the broader Data Strategy team in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive and up-to-date data catalog by overseeing the capture of end-to-end data flows and the creation of source-to-target documentation, ensuring a detailed and accessible repository that enhances data understanding and transparency across the organization.
• Foster a culture of excellence in data transformations and clear schema design, ensuring alignment with operational and analytical business requirements.
• Ensure our data architecture is secure and compliant per company policies and industry standards. Support information and data governance roles in applying appropriate firm policies.
• Provide strategic leadership and management to a team of data engineers and liaise closely with data solutions analysts and database administrators with a strong focus on high-quality solution delivery and team culture.
• Oversee the data engineering team and the applied AI teams, including a Manager of Applied AI role, or equivalent.
• Provide technical leadership and strategic direction to align data engineering initiatives with business objectives.
• Develop and mentor technology and innovation staff throughout the firm on data best practices, data literacy, and emerging data management trends and key issues.
• Partner with IT staff, vendors, and other third parties to address system-level technical issues, manage internal and external integrations, and implement upgrades and enhancements.
• Support data and intelligence solutions teams as we establish COE and best practices for analytics and data dashboard and application design and development.
• Establish standard metrics reporting and analyze trends to measure the quality and quantity of data maintained within the data platform.
• Partner closely with the firm's PMO and Change Management teams to ensure adoption and ongoing enhancements to the platforms. Develop standard configuration documentation and related guides for data consumers. Collaborate to design end-user training, onboarding, and user adoption programs and communications.
• Special project and duties as assigned.

Required Skills:

• Excellent experience in people management skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent organizational, teamwork, customer service and problem-solving skills required.

Required Qualifications & Education:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field.
• 15+ years' experience in a law firm, corporate legal department or professional services environment, particularly within an innovation or KM function.
• 10+ years' experience managing and leading data engineering, data sciences, and database administration teams.
• 10+ years of hands-on experience in data management activities such as building data pipelines and database administration.
• Excellent proficiency in business intelligence, data warehousing, application development, and data visualization.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the legal technology landscape, including trends, tools, and industry standards. Significant experience working with legal technology, workflow systems, legal project management, and practice management tools.
• Deep understanding of law firm structure and business practices, as well as practice-specific terminology. Experience working with a broad array of legal practices including transactional, litigation, and regulatory.
• Proficiency in SQL code development, ETL data management, integration data flows, XML, system management, performance tuning / optimization, and enterprise application management.
• SQL Server using the full Microsoft SQL Server stack; Management Studio (SSMS), SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS), Powershell. Expertise in Microsoft data development tools (SSMS, Visual Studio Data Tools). Expert/Advanced SSIS and SSRS. Experience working with API calls and handling return data in JSON and XML.
• Experience with, and willingness to learn more about, emerging Microsoft OneLake, Fabric, Power and related concepts and applications.
• In-depth knowledge of database systems, data warehousing concepts and data modeling techniques. Significant experience with data management, process, and data system design in a legal or professional services firm
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python and data processing framework such as Airflow
• Proficiency in one or more of the following technologies, languages, and databases: Python, SQL, MySQL database, AWS, Microsoft Fabric, Delta Lake, Azure Data Factory, Parquet, and/or Azure Kubernetes.
• Exceptional proficiency working with MS Office and Power platform especially for analyzing and communicating data-related concepts.
• Experience in leveraging automation and AI-related technologies, such as Machine Learning and LLMs, to drive innovation in legal services.
• Proficiency with cybersecurity best practices and compliance requirements in the legal industry and for clients such as financial and governmental institutions
• Ability to develop effective and collaborative relationships among business teams, lawyers, firm administrative departments, and vendors.
• Champion for change management, process improvement, user adoption, and the constant evolution of complex data strategies and needs. Initiative and creativity to develop unique and new approaches to address existing challenges and/or positively affect lawyer productivity, client service, and overall fiscal health of the firm.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex assignments with competing deadlines and priorities. Experience managing projects from inception through planning, execution, and delivery phases.

Preferred Qualifications & Education:

• Master's or related coursework strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Moderate or advanced keyboard usage

This position may be filled in New York. In accordance with the New York State Pay Transparency Law and New York City Human Rights Law, the pay range for this position in New York State is $142,200 to $255,800/yr and in New York City is $170,600 to $255,800/yr. These ranges are specific to these locations and may not be applicable to other locations. An individual's actual compensation will depend on the individual's qualifications and experience.

Benefits: Our goal is to promote a work environment in which individuals have access to the resources they need to be at their best both professionally and personally, which includes resources that encourage individuals to focus on their health and well-being. Below is a list of just some of the benefits we offer: generous paid time off; eleven paid holidays per year; time off for bereavement or jury duty; paid leave for new parents; comprehensive medical (PPO and HDHPs), dental and vision plans including coverage for domestic partners; life and AD&D insurance; short and long term disability insurance; tax-advantaged accounts for health care expenses, including FSA or HSA; FSA for dependent care; supplemental AFLAC policies for medical care; excess liability coverage; health advocacy services; behavioral health and counseling resources for all family members; 401(k); profit sharing; pre-tax transit and parking program; backup care for children and adults; senior care planning support; and resources for individuals with development disabilities and their caregivers.

Benefits may vary by position and office.

Holland & Knight is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, marital status, protected veteran or any other protected class.

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