Director of Technology & Innovation

Gould & Ratner LLP • Chicago, IL

1d • $150,000 - $200,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Gould & Ratner is creating a new senior leadership role to give the firm's technology and innovation function strategic direction. The firm makes significant investments in technology and is ready for a senior leader to own the strategy, integrate those investments, and build the function forward. The role will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer, and has full Management Committee support. The DTI will lead the internal technology team, manage the firm's relationships with its managed services provider and other external partners, and set the agenda for what technology work happens and how.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 8+ years of progressive technology leadership experience, with at least 3 years at the director level or above.
• Prior experience leading technology functions in professional services, law, or a similarly partner-facing environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing external vendor and managed services provider relationships.
• Strong AI and emerging technology fluency, with an understanding of how AI is reshaping legal practice.
• Experience leading small teams and managing through influence as well as direct authority.
• Clear, accessible communication skills — partners should understand what you're doing and why, without translation.

Nice To Haves

• Law firm experience, particularly with midsize firms in the 50–200 attorney range.
• Familiarity with NetDocuments and the legal AI tool ecosystem.
• Experience leading technology transformations or function redesigns.

Responsibilities

• Own the firm's technology and innovation strategy and roadmap.
• Lead and develop the internal technology team.
• Manage the firm's relationships with external technology partners, which currently include the managed services provider, fractional CTO, and AI consultants.
• Set the project agenda: decide what gets done internally, what gets done externally, and how the team's capacity is protected for strategic work alongside day-to-day demands.
• Oversee core platforms — document management, time entry, billing, security, and productivity tools.
• Drive the firm's AI strategy and adoption program, including the AI Champions initiative across practice groups.
• Lead the cloud migration roadmap in partnership with the MSP.
• Provide regular technology updates and reporting to the COO, management committee, and firm partners.
• Manage vendor contracts, the technology budget, and hardware lifecycle standards.

Benefits

• Base salary range: $150,000 – $200,000, commensurate with experience.
• Bonus eligible.
• Emphasis on professional & business development.
• Low turnover, collegial and collaborative environment.
• Healthcare (medical, vision, dental), life and long-term disability insurance.
• Competitive compensation, benefits package including 401k and profit sharing.
• Paid primary and secondary caregiver leave.
• Generous vacation, personal, & sick time allowance.
• Pre-tax commuter benefits and wellness programs (e.g., in-office gym and massages; 24/7 tele-medicine).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior