Chief Information Officer – Portland, OR

About Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt:

Schwabe is a premier Northwest regional law firm serving the needs of businesses in seven key industry sectors: Technology; Healthcare and Life Sciences; Consumer Products, Manufacturing and Retail; Natural Resources; Real Estate and Construction; Ports and Maritime; and Indian Country and Alaska Native Corporations. We have offices in four states, in the cities of Portland, Bend, Salem, Seattle, Vancouver, Anchorage, and Mountain View. Schwabe has a culture based on collaboration, innovation, and a drive to help our clients achieve success.

Position Overview:

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) is responsible for leading the firm’s technology strategy, overseeing IT infrastructure, and ensuring robust information security. This individual plays a pivotal role in aligning IT initiatives with the firm’s strategic objectives, optimizing legal technologies, and driving continuous innovation. The CIO ensures that the information and technology needs of the firm’s clients, attorneys, and legal staff are met, while also enhancing cost efficiency, service excellence, and business development initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive IT strategy to achieve the firm’s technology and strategic initiatives.
• Key advisor to the leadership team on technology trends and innovations in the legal industry.
• Drive service enhancements and operational efficiencies throughout the firm by identifying and implementing technology solutions that align with the strategic goals.
• Direct the implementation and maintenance of key legal technology platforms.
• Evaluate, select, and implement new software applications and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and data analytics, to improve firm efficiency, productivity, knowledge reuse, and legal outcomes, while ensuring alignment with the needs and priorities of other department leaders.
• Support IT platforms necessary for secure and productive cross-office and hybrid work environments.
• Develop and maintain systems to support a firmwide data strategy that enables real-time analytics and business insights.
• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive cybersecurity program.
• Implement and enforce best practices for data security and privacy policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with the firm’s General Counsel and the CEO to determine and implement information governance policies and procedures.
• Support client requirements for security, data management, and compliance through technology solutions.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in IT or a related field or a similar subject is required for this role. An MBA is a plus. In addition to the education requirement, this position requires a minimum of 15 years of IT leadership experience, preferably in a legal or professional services environment or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Ability to collaborate at all levels of the firm to influence and drive priorities.
• Ability to have oversight of the IT department, while directly managing director and manager-level employees.
• Will be required to travel to other Schwabe locations, as needed.

Interested candidates should submit their cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to Human Resources at Recruiting@schwabe.com.

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt provides a team-oriented working environment, offering competitive salaries and excellent benefits including medical, dental, life, LTD, 401(k)/profit sharing, tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance Programs, transit subsidy, paid holidays, vacation, and sick time off.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other status protected by law.