Director of Technology Strategy and Portfolio Management

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with offices in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia that represents clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory and policy, intellectual property, and transactional and corporate matters. The firm is internationally recognized for representing Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation and government-facing matters, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity, equity, and inclusion. At Crowell & Moring, exceptional client service begins with exceptional people. We are committed to delivering responsive, high-quality, and professional service to our clients and to one another, while continuously elevating standards of excellence across every aspect of our work.

Job Summary

The Director of Technology Strategy and Portfolio Management serves as a key strategic partner to the CIO, helping advance the Firm’s technology vision and position IT as a business-focused, value-generating function. This role provides leadership and operational direction for the firm’s technology strategy, planning, portfolio management, and technology delivery. This role helps translate firm priorities into coordinated technology initiatives, ensuring projects and services are properly prioritized, resourced, governed, and delivered with measurable value.

The Director oversees strategic roadmap and portfolio planning, budgeting, reporting, vendor management, contracts and coordination, business analysis and relationship management, and strategic execution, while working closely with IT, firm leadership, administrative leaders, practice leaders, and other stakeholders to support effective decision-making, operational efficiency, reliable user support, and continued innovation across the firm.

Job Responsibilities

Oversee the development, execution, and ongoing refinement of the firm’s annual technology strategy, ensuring alignment with business priorities, operational needs, and long-term firm goals. Partner with the CIO to develop the firmwide, strategic technology roadmap.

Oversee the technology portfolio management process, including intake, prioritization, sequencing, resourcing, investment review, progress tracking, and benefits realization.

Leads the continuous improvement and transformation of the IT business and operations model, including contemporary best practices and governance. This includes collaborating with key stakeholders on the architectural review board ensuring aligning with overall technology strategy.

Direct strategic technology programs and cross-functional initiatives from planning through delivery, ensuring clear ownership, milestones, dependencies, risks, and measurable outcomes.

Champion operational excellence across IT service delivery, including change management and client communications, ensuring business requirements are met with the proper technology solution and implementation, and ongoing relationship management and business reviews with the stakeholders.

Develop and deliver executive-level reports and presentations that communicate the impact of operational improvements and strategic initiatives.

Establish and monitor service performance metrics, KPIs, SLAs, and reporting practices to ensure support levels technology project management and implementations meet or exceed user expectations and drive continuous improvement.

Oversee IT financial operations, including annual budgeting, forecasting, variance review, cost optimization, resource allocation, invoice and expense processing, and reporting on technology spend, performance, and value.

Partner with stakeholders and outsourced procurement services vendor to manage vendor selection, contract negotiation, supplier relationship management, service levels, renewals, and technology contract lifecycle processes.

Develop, maintain, and improve IT policies, procedures, governance practices, documentation, methodologies, and operating standards to support consistency, accountability, and compliance.

Partner with firm leaders, administrative departments, practice groups, attorneys, professional staff, vendors, and other stakeholders to understand needs, evaluate solutions, and support effective technology decision-making.

Drive collaboration and communication between IT and user communities, ensuring users are informed of service status, project progress, support expectations, and technology changes.

Identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, automation, self-service, and innovation in technology services and support delivery.

Support risk management, information security, business continuity, and recovery planning efforts to protect firm and client information and minimize disruption to firm operations.

Provide strategic direction, coaching, performance management, and professional development for assigned teams, fostering a collaborative, service-oriented, and continuous improvement culture.

Other strategic initiatives as assigned by the CIO.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong knowledge of technology strategy, portfolio management, IT operations, service delivery, governance, budgeting, vendor management, and enterprise technology planning.

Experience with contemporary project and portfolio management tools, including AI integration.

Ability to translate business priorities into practical technology plans, investment recommendations, operating models, and measurable outcomes.

Strong understanding of IT service delivery, end-user support, , performance metrics, SLAs, and continuous improvement practices.

Financial acumen, including the ability to manage budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, cost optimization, contract management, and technology investment planning.

Knowledge of technology operations, infrastructure, end-user technologies, service management practices, cybersecurity, business continuity, and emerging technology trends.

Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to coach, develop, and support high-performing teams in a complex, service-oriented environment.

Excellent communication, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with attorneys, professional staff, firm leadership, vendors, and technical teams.

Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and drive results.

Ability to establish structure, accountability, and transparency across complex technology initiatives, projects, and service delivery functions.

Demonstrated judgment, discretion, and ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.

Familiarity with law firm, professional services, or similarly complex business environments, including common enterprise platforms such as document management, knowledge management, Microsoft 365, IT service management, and collaboration tools.

Demonstrates a continuous commitment to elevating service standards by delivering responsive, high-quality support to internal and external clients and proactively identifying opportunities to improve the client experience in all non-legal interactions.

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, information systems, computer science, or a related field; an MBA or relevant master's degree is preferred.

PMP certification, or related certification.

Experience

The position requires a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in a senior technology portfolio management role at a best-in-class organization; preferably a law firm.

Pay Range:

• DC office and Chicago office: $215,000 - $310,000
• New York office: $235,000 - $340,000

Our Firm is committed to fair and equitable compensation practice in accordance with applicable laws. Additional compensation may include a discretionary bonus. The salary for this position may vary based on location, market data, an applicant’s skills and prior experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other factors.

Crowell & Moring LLP offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package. Our benefits include healthcare, vision, dental, retirement, and all-purpose leave and progressive options such as back up childcare, wellness programs, cultural events and social activities. We take great pride in our positive, friendly culture that rewards hard work and success, at the same time recognizing the importance of family and community service.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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