Akerman LLP
Overview
Join to apply for the Director of Cloud Services role at Akerman LLP .
Founded in 1920, Akerman is recognized as one of the country’s premier law firms, with more than 700 lawyers in 25 offices throughout the United States. Akerman is seeking a Director of Cloud Services for its IT Department.
Key Responsibilities
- Cloud Strategy & Architecture
- Develop and execute the firm’s cloud services roadmap with a focus on Microsoft solutions.
- Evaluate and recommend cloud platforms and services that align with the firm’s legal technology strategy, risk profile, and operational requirements.
- Drive the modernization of legacy systems to cloud-native or hybrid cloud environments.
- Microsoft Cloud Services Leadership
- Lead the firm’s deployment, configuration, and lifecycle management of:
- Exchange Online / Hosted Email
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and Endpoint Security
- Microsoft Purview (Information Protection, eDiscovery, Insider Risk Management, DLP, and Compliance)
- Microsoft Copilot and other AI productivity tools
- Partner with Microsoft and managed service providers to stay current on product roadmaps, licensing models, and emerging features.
- Lead the firm’s deployment, configuration, and lifecycle management of:
- Governance, Security & Compliance
- Work with IT Information Security to establish cloud governance frameworks in alignment with legal industry security and regulatory standards (e.g., ABA, GDPR, HIPAA).
- Ensure data loss prevention, access controls, classification policies, and retention settings are configured to protect firm and client data.
- Lead cloud security operations in collaboration with cybersecurity and risk teams.
- Operational Excellence & Support
- Oversee performance monitoring, incident response, and troubleshooting of cloud systems to ensure high availability and responsiveness.
- Provide escalation support for complex issues related to M365, Purview, Azure AD, and cloud security controls.
- Develop documentation, SLAs, and support protocols in collaboration with internal IT and helpdesk teams.
- Innovation & Enablement
- Evaluate and implement Microsoft Copilot and AI-powered productivity tools to enhance workflows for attorneys and staff.
- Support legal teams in securely adopting cloud-based collaboration tools like Teams, SharePoint Online, and OneDrive.
- Provide training strategies and change management programs to ensure effective user adoption.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
- 10+ years of experience in IT infrastructure and cloud services, with at least 5 years in leadership roles within professional services or legal environments.
- Deep expertise in Microsoft cloud services, including Microsoft 365, Azure AD, Exchange Online, Microsoft Purview, and Defender suite.
- Experience with legal compliance requirements and risk-sensitive cloud deployments.
- Microsoft certifications such as MS-102, SC-400, SC-300, AZ-104, or MS-500 strongly preferred.
- Strong vendor management and contract negotiation skills.
Key Attributes
- Strategic thinker with strong execution discipline.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives in a matrixed legal environment.
- Clear communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders and IT teams.
- Committed to continuous improvement, security by design, and user-centric service delivery.
Tools & Platforms
- Microsoft 365 Suite (Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, Purview, Defender, Intune, Copilot)
- Azure Active Directory and Entra ID
We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package. Please submit your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements. EOE
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