Head of Technology & Innovation –… at Clifford Chance · Hong Kong

Company Description

Clifford Chance is one of the world's leading law firms, helping clients achieve their goals by combining the highest global standards with local expertise. The firm has unrivalled scale and depth of legal resources across the three key markets of the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe and focuses on the core areas of commercial activity: capital markets; corporate and M&A; finance and banking; real estate; tax; pensions and employment; litigation and dispute resolution.

The 'Head of Technology & Innovation, APAC and MET Markets' is responsible for leading and advancing technology initiatives across these markets. This role plays a critical part in driving the adoption of innovative technologies and ensuring the delivery of reliable, high‑quality IT services that support both legal professionals and business professional teams.

Leveraging a strong blend of legal industry knowledge, technical expertise, and exceptional communication skills, the role serves as a strategic bridge between technology and the business. This position is instrumental in shaping and executing the regional technology strategy, enabling fee earners and business professionals to effectively leverage technology to enhance operational efficiency and achieve their objectives. This role is based in the Hong Kong/ Singapore office and reports to the Global Technology Services Director.

Job Description

Technology Strategy Development:

• Develop and implement a regional technology strategy that aligns with the firm's global priorities.
• Focus on leveraging AI and emerging technologies to enhance legal service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Create and maintain a strategic regional technology roadmap in alignment with regional leaders and overall global strategy.
• Proactively stay at the forefront of legal technology trends and industry developments to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge.

IT Operations Management:

• Provide strategic oversight and direction for regional IT support functions, overseeing day-to-day AI-driven IT operations to ensure high reliability and exceptional service delivery.

Innovation and Digital Transformation:

• Lead digital transformation initiatives, including the adoption of AI-driven solutions, automation, and data analytics.
• Identify opportunities to innovate and improve processes through technology.
• Understand and analyse the technology needs of the firm and implement those into to the region ensuring seamless integration and alignment with change management goals.

Client Engagement and Support:

• Act as a senior trusted strategic technical advisor to Partners, senior legal professionals and business professional teams.
• Lead and build an expert team to guide users to implement technology solutions.
• Ensure that IT services meet the evolving needs of internal clients and enhance their productivity.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Build, lead and mentor a high-performing IT team of application specialists.
• Cultivate a culture of continuous learning and professional development, encouraging team members to stay abreast of the emerging technology trends and best practices.

Risk Management and Compliance:

• Ensure that IT operations adhere to regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with the global Information Security team to implement robust security measures to protect sensitive data and proactively mitigate risks.

Budget Management:

• Develop and manage the regional IT budget, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources.
• Monitor expenditures and identify opportunities to optimise costs without compromising service quality.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field is required. MBA or a Master's degree in Information Technology Management is preferred.
• 10+ years of extensive experience in IT management, preferably within a professional services or law firm environment.
• Proven track record of leading technology initiatives and managing and overseeing IT operations across multiple locations.
• In-depth knowledge of applications, and emerging technologies, including AI and automation.
• Strong experience with digital transformation projects and data analytics is highly desirable.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, with a demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate a large team of IT professionals.
• Excellent client service skills, with the ability to understand and anticipate the needs of internal and external clients.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality IT services that add value to the business.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to collaborate effectively with legal professionals internally and externally, as well as with business teams and external vendors.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects and ensure timely delivery.
• Experience with agile methodologies is a plus.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving IT issues.
• Experience with managing crisis and executing business continuity plans.
• Previous experience in budget management and financial discipline is preferred.

Strategic thinking:

• Demonstrated ability to operate as an effective change agent within a partnership environment.
• Good judgement skills in identification and prioritisation of added value and strategic tasks.
• Solution focused with a proactive/forward-thinking approach.
• Ability to embrace change and adapt to new and unexpected requirements.

Communication and presentation skills:

• Excellent communication skills with proven experience with building and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to deliver clear and impartial strategic advice in a consultative manner.
• Strong listening skills and intellectual rigor and insight to be credible with groups of partners.

Relationship building and networking skills:

• Ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders, across borders and in a matrixed organisation, is vital.

Organisation and time management skills:

• Highly organised and structured approach to tasks; balancing long-term and short-term priorities.
• Capability to prioritise and manage both proactive and reactive tasks and requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with different internal and external stakeholders, making pragmatic and practical decisions about how initiatives should be implemented.

Additional Information

As a global law firm our work spans jurisdictions, cultures, and languages – and so do our people.

Our culture is collaborative and inclusive— where diverse perspectives are recognised and valued. Where performing to your highest ability, unlocks equal access to opportunities to learn, thrive and grow.

We combine deep legal expertise and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect, and defend our clients' businesses, across every critical moment.

We operate in the sectors and regions that matter to our clients. With forward-thinking insights and innovative, tech-enabled solutions that combine deep knowledge of their sectors and markets.

You’ll build connections and work with colleagues as one global team. You’ll unlock opportunities for clients, across borders, cultures, legal and commercial disciplines.

Join us to work with colleagues as one global team – empowering each other to be exceptional and create advantage for our clients.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

At Clifford Chance, we forge an inclusive culture, where all perspectives are recognised and valued. It’s a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunities to thrive and succeed, irrespective of background. We are guided by our values-based Code, which sets high standards of conduct and has a principle focused on being inclusive.

We are an equal opportunity employer and provide consideration to all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We comply with the law and regulations in every location where we operate and across all aspects of employment, from recruitment and selection to development, progression, and day-to-day working life. Find out more about our inclusive culture here.