Information Technology Project Manager

Description This is an exciting opportunity to work for one of the top law firms in the U.S.! Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is looking for an Information Technology Project Manager to join our team. This position offers the flexibility to be fully remote while working within reasonable commuting distance from our Seattle, Portland, or Los Angeles offices. The IT Project Manager's primary role is to effectively oversee and coordinate all aspects of projects, both internal and external to the IT department. Our Project Managers handle multiple concurrent assignments, and types of projects may include new software deployments, platform enhancements/upgrades, service/equipment retirements, process improvement exercises, custom development, physical office modifications, data analysis, and others. DWT's Enterprise Project Management Office works across legal practice groups and industry teams, core business teams, office administration, knowledge management, practice support, the security office, and others. Experience with project management in a legal environment is strongly preferred. Adeptness at both strategic thinking and tactical execution are essential to success. At Davis Wright Tremaine, you will find challenging assignments, opportunities for professional growth and community involvement, and a culture of inclusion. DWT fosters inclusiveness and authenticity. Regardless of position, everyone here has a voice and the support is unparalleled. On a typical day you will: Project Planning and Initiation:

• Collaborate with stakeholders across legal teams, business groups, and IT to define project scope, goals/requirements, deliverables, and success criteria.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, including charters, documented requirements, timelines, resourcing assignments, and budget estimates.
• Conduct business analysis and feasibility studies/proofs of concept to identify and overcome potential project obstacles.
• Coordinate with security, legal, technical, and business teams to ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards.
• Transform ambiguous/incomplete stakeholder requirements into targets.
• Participate in RFP processes for vendor selection on projects you will be leading.
• Objectively approach project assignments, both technical and non-technical, within the context of the entire organization, strategic automation goals, and larger project efforts.

Project Team Leadership and Stakeholder Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact for project-related inquiries and updates; ensure transparency and open communication channels throughout the project lifecycle.
• Take an empathetic, relationship-centric approach to leading cross-functional teams comprising legal, IT, and professional support staff.
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively, ensuring clear understanding of roles, next steps, dependencies, and follow-through.
• Motivate and inspire team members to meet project milestones and deliverables as well as timeline and budget targets.
• Proactively communicate project status on milestones and deliverables via routine progress reports and EPMO reporting tools (Skyview, EPMO website, reports, etc.)
• Facilitate regular team meetings via video call (Teams, Zoom) with stakeholders (inside and outside our department) to track progress, identify next steps, address issues, communicate updates, manage expectations, and maintain team focus on the project milestones and objectives.
• Explain technical concepts to a non-technical audience using customer-centric language, and provide guidance to help stakeholders make informed decisions.
• Ensure clear expectations around operationalization and ownership at project conclusion.

• Use appropriate verification techniques to manage changes in project scope, schedule, and costs.

• Maintain and archive project documentation and artifacts throughout the project lifecycle.

• Handle stressful situations in a composed, professional, and constructive manner while maintaining focus on the objectives at hand.

Resource Allocation and Budgeting:

• Allocate personnel resources efficiently and with a mindfulness of competing priorities and workloads.
• Monitor project expenditures and adjust plans to maintain financial targets.
• Implement cost-saving measures and/or project team adjustments without compromising project quality or timelines.

Risk Management and Issue Resolution:

• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize impact.
• Monitor project activities for deviations from the plan and implement corrective actions; address conflicts and issues promptly, seeking resolution through collaboration and relationship-driven leadership.
• Escalate critical issues or roadblocks to senior management for timely intervention.
• Document lessons learned and best practices for future projects.

Quality Assurance and Deliverable Management:

• Establish quality standards and performance metrics for project deliverables.
• Implement testing and validation processes to verify system functionality; coordinate user acceptance testing (UAT) and gather feedback for improvements.
• Document and track project changes, updates, and version control.
• Ensure compliance with contractual and security requirements.
• Effectively manage vendor performance on software builds or implementations.

Technology Implementation and Integration:

• Oversee the deployment of legal software platforms/updates, and development of new solutions.
• Collaborate with IT teams and vendors to integrate new systems with existing workflows.
• Conduct user training sessions to familiarize staff with new technologies.
• Monitor system performance and help troubleshoot technical issues as they arise.
• Prepare Help Desk documentation/knowledge base articles (if applicable)

Continuous Improvement and Innovation:

• Conduct post-project reviews to evaluate outcomes and identify areas for improvement; gather feedback from stakeholders and implement process enhancements.
• Promote a culture of innovation, encouraging team members to suggest ideas.
• Lead process improvement efforts and exercises for legal and business teams.
• Assist the EPMO team with maintenance of templates and tools to keep our repository up to date and best in class.

Competence in the following "soft skill" areas:

• Clear and concise communication
• Relationship-building and team leadership
• Problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability
• Time management, task prioritization, and exceptional organization
• Humility and calmness under pressure
• Self-directedness

Join us if you have:

• BA or BS degree strongly preferred.
• 6+ years of IT Project Management experience strongly preferred.
• PMP, CAPM, Scrum Master, CompTIA Project+, or Product/Program Management Certification preferred.
• High level proficiency with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Forms, PowerPoint, and Visio (or other process mapping tools) is required.
• Experience with MS Flow, PowerBI, and Copilot are desired.
• Demonstrated knack for quickly learning new technologies to understand the value-add and pass that knowledge on to others.
• Experience planning and executing projects with teammates across U.S. time zones.
• Thrive in a fully remote position (but be available to visit the Seattle office when the occasional need arises).
• Previous experience in a law firm or professional services organization, supporting a multi-office environment is strongly preferred.

Who We Are Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with 11 offices nationwide. We are relentlessly committed to client service and look for candidates who share that commitment. At DWT, client service means having empathy for each client's and each lawyer's work and personal pressures, business objectives, and legal needs; anticipating their needs; and having the capabilities and commitment to deliver what matters most to them. What's in it For You? DWT offers competitive compensation in addition to ample benefits including but not limited to:

• Choice of health and vision insurance plans
• 2 paid volunteer days for qualifying community service work
• Dental plan
• Fertility and adoption benefit
• Paid sabbatical after 13 years of service
• Tuition reimbursement
• Commuter benefits
• Retirement contribution

This job description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.

Washington State

The annualized salary range for this position in Washington is $120,000 to $143,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on the candidate's education, training, experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. Full time employees may be eligible for a bonus, health insurance with an optional HSA, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, telemedicine and virtual short term solution based counseling services, life insurance, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, subsidized backup care and caregiving resources, 401(k), vacation, sick time, 11 paid holidays each year and an employee assistance program. For full-time employees, the initial vacation benefit is 15 days per year and 11 days of sick leave per year, accrued bi-weekly. Additional voluntary programs include: voluntary accident insurance, voluntary life, voluntary disability, voluntary long term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and Transit programs are also available. California The annualized salary range for this position in Los Angeles is $130,000 to $142,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. Full time employees may be eligible for a bonus, health insurance with an optional HSA, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, telemedicine and virtual short term solution based counseling services, life insurance, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, subsidized backup care and caregiving resources, 401(k), vacation, sick time, and an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary programs include: voluntary accident insurance, voluntary life, voluntary disability, voluntary long term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and Transit programs are also available.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are part of the fabric of Davis Wright Tremaine - central to who we are and what we do. Our vision is to foster a culture where all talented individuals - including those who are from traditionally underrepresented communities in the legal profession - can have, and can see, a path to success. We embed DEI throughout our law firm with our four-pillar framework: Community, Growth, Education, and Engagement. We invite you to learn more about our commitment to DEI at https://www.dwt.com/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion.
Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons. If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email humanresources_confidential@dwt.com. #LI-BR1

Location: Times Square, WA, US

Posted Date: 12/1/2024