Manager of Applied AI and Data Sciences

General Description:

The Manager of Applied AI and Data Sciences is responsible for the development and management of the Firm’s applied data sciences and artificial intelligence (AI) tools, platforms, projects and engagements, and related processes. This role contributes to the implementation and on-going support of the firm’s investments and partnerships to develop and scale data sciences and AI tools to our lawyers and business departments.

The Manager collaborates closely with our technology, knowledge, business services, and practice teams to assess data sciences and AI needs, develop and communicate plans for implementation, develop and support the firm’s AI programs and applications, execute technical implementation of data sciences and AI applications, 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 innovative AI solutions. 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. While maintaining a practice in data sciences and AI development, provide technical leadership on external project engagement and internal product evaluations.

Key Responsibilities And Essential Job Functions:

Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of applied data sciences and AI program, including inception-to-adoption of AI solutions and projects.
Oversee the appropriate sourcing, evaluation, selection, and utilization of data sciences and AI tools for developers.
Along with our KM and IT teams, collect information on emerging products, evaluate products for interoperability, security, and functionality. Develop and articulate use-cases with lawyers and operational professionals, assess those opportunities against the firm’s strategies for innovation, and prepare recommendations with department leadership to adopt and scale innovative solutions as appropriate.
Oversee AI product development and adoption with a view to usability and scalability.
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.
Build cross-functional relationships with software engineers, solutions engineers, and other business stakeholders to collaboratively create solutions, development standards, and support business processes.
Provide technical leadership and strategic direction to align data sciences initiatives with business objectives.
Develop and mentor technology and innovation staff throughout the firm on emerging data sciences and AI trends and key issues. Monitor and advise on global AI regulations, particularly those impacting the firm and the firm’s clients and their industries and markets.
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 used within, and developed by, data sciences and AI tools.
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 critical thinking skills required.

Required Qualifications & Education:

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
10+ years’ experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, or professional services environment, particularly within an innovation or KM function.
5+ years’ experience managing and leading data sciences and applied AI teams.
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.
Extensive 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.
2+ years of experience in applying LLMs (Large Language Models) towards successful product outcomes.
Experience building LLM workflows using cloud services such as Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS.
Direct experience working with GenAI, LLM fine-tuning, knowledge graphs and/or reinforcement learning.
Experience in safety and ethical aspects of AI.
Proficiency in SQL, Apache Spark, Python, Microsoft Azure Data Factory, Microsoft Fabric, and related products and platforms.
Experience with common AI and ML applications, Data mining and statistic tools, scripting, and programming experience desired.
Experience with, and willingness to learn more about, emerging Microsoft OneLake, Fabric, Power, and related concepts and applications.
Exceptional proficiency working with MS Office and Power platform especially for analyzing and communicating data-related concepts.
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 innovative 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 or certifications 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 the District of Columbia or New York. In accordance with the District of Columbia Wage Transparency Law, New York State Pay Transparency Law, and New York City Human Rights Law, the pay range for this position in the District of Columbia is $138,000 – $207,000/yr, New York State is $120,000 – $216,000/yr, and in New York City is $144,000 – $216,000/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.

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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