Associate Director of Innovation

Foley Hoag LLP; Boston, New York, Washington (MA, NY, District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 204,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

Foley Hoag LLP in Boston seeks an Associate Director of Innovation to drive AI-enabled transformation across practice groups and offices. You will bridge legal needs with technology, shaping the firm’s innovation roadmap and overseeing pilots.

Reporting to the Director of Knowledge Management & Innovation, you will collaborate with attorneys, business services, marketing and security to scale adoption, measure impact, and communicate value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; JD or certifications in tech/innovation are advantageous
• Hands-on experience with AI tools and technology adoption
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to work with leadership and attorneys
• Strong collaborative and interpersonal skills; manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Project management and change management skills with stakeholder influence

Responsibilities

• Identify high-impact opportunities to transform how the firm delivers legal services.
• Assist with developing and executing the firm's AI strategy across practice groups and client demands.
• Recommend AI and legal tech opportunities to improve workflows and client value.
• Conduct horizon scanning for emerging legal tech and generative AI; evaluate vendors and pilots.
• Participate in rollout, training, and adoption of AI-enabled tools across offices.
• Lead change management: communications, training, metrics, ROI tracking.
• Partner with Marketing, BD, and InfoSec on external AI communications and client materials.
• Serve as point of contact for AI and innovation queries; foster a culture of experimentation.
• Contribute to innovation projects, pilots, and cross-office initiatives.
• Develop and oversee dashboards tracking KPIs for innovation programs.

Skills

AI tools adoption

Change management

Project management

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

JD or related certifications

Tools

AI platforms

Job description

Boston Office; New York Office; Washington DC Office

Foley Hoag seeks an Associate Director of Innovation ('Associate Director') who will help the firm conceive and operationalize transformative change in workflows, processes, and practices to confront the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.

Reporting to the Director of Knowledge Management & Innovation ('Director') and working closely with attorneys and firm leadership, this position acts as a bridge between legal practice needs and technological capabilities. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, hands‑on executor, and team player who can work with diverse stakeholders to advance the firm’s competitive edge in legal innovation.

The KM&I department is fast‑paced and must continually adapt to a rapidly evolving technology landscape. The Associate Director must be flexible and comfortable with shifting priorities. As part of a growing function, the Associate Director will directly impact the firm’s innovation roadmap.

This hybrid role requires in‑office presence at least three days per week to foster collaboration and connection. The onsite expectation is Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week.

Responsibilities

• Identify high‑impact, innovative opportunities that will transform how the firm delivers legal services and adds value.
• Assist with developing and executing the firm’s innovation and AI strategy, including overseeing initiatives aligned with practice group needs, client demands, and business objectives.
• Recommend critical AI and legal technology opportunities that deliver tangible client value and optimize legal practices, processes, and workflows.
• Conduct horizon scanning for emerging legal technologies, generative AI platforms and related tools; evaluate vendors, lead pilots.
• Participate in the rollout, training, and sustained adoption of AI‑enabled tools and innovation initiatives across practice groups and offices.
• Drive change management efforts, including communications, training programs, and metrics to track usage, ROI, efficiency gains, and user feedback.
• Partner with Marketing, Business Development, and Information Security to lead the execution of the firm’s external communication strategy related to AI and innovation, including RFP responses, pitches, client‑facing materials that highlight the firm’s AI, innovation, and technology capabilities, security questionnaires, and client and industry surveys relating to the firm’s use of AI in client work.
• Serve as a key point of contact for AI and innovation queries, fostering a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement.
• Manage or contribute to innovation‑related projects, pilots, and cross‑office initiatives.
• Develop and oversee an updated reporting system and dashboard that tracks key performance indicators for innovation programs.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required. JD, advanced degree or certifications in technology, innovation, project management, or related fields are advantageous.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience with AI tools and technology adoption.
• Highly organized and detail‑oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and effectively to firm leadership, lawyers, and business services professionals.
• Strong collaborative and interpersonal skills, as the role requires regular interaction with attorneys, business services professionals, vendors, and members of the KM&I team.
• Project management and change management skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Compensation range is $204,000 to $255,000 commensurate with related experience and qualification. The salary of the candidate selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to internal equity, experience, specialty, and training. The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the firm’s reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Search firm submissions are not requested nor considered for this position.

About Foley Hoag

Founded in 1943, Foley Hoag has grown into an award‑winning, international law firm that focuses on innovative industries and high‑stakes litigation.

From our offices in Boston, Washington DC, New York, Denver, and Paris, more than 300 lawyers and 300 professionals in business services exhibit authentic collegiality, genuine respect for each other, and the drive to deliver exceptional client service.

Since our founding, Foley Hoag has been a leader and catalyst for change in the legal industry and beyond. We value the diversity of perspectives and experiences that enrich our work and our world and seek to hire the best lawyers and business services professionals, regardless of religions, race, gender, or any other factor. We strive every day to ensure everyone at Foley Hoag feels valued through career development, affinity groups, mentorship programs, culture and community‑building events and more. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, and a connected, challenging, professional, and fun place for you to thrive in the next chapter of your career.

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Foley Hoag is committed to affording equal access to job opportunities to qualified applicants with disabilities. Individuals with a disability who require accommodation or assistance in the job application process for a posted position may contact [e-mail]. This information will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of determining an appropriate accommodation for the interview process.

Foley Hoag LLP is an equal opportunity employer

This means that Foley Hoag LLP considers applicants for employment, and makes employment decisions without unlawful regard to sex, race, color, religion, citizenship, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital or domestic partner/civil union status, military service, or veteran status, disability, and any other characteristic covered by applicable federal, state or local nondiscrimination laws.

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