Legal IT Director: Automation, Security & Modernization (NYC)

ASCENDING; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

ASCENDING is seeking an IT Director to lead a practical, business-aligned technology organization across its New York headquarters and Irvine branch. The role combines hands-on legal workflow automation, vendor oversight, strategic partnerships, and clear communication with a service-oriented mindset.

The ideal candidate will manage cloud services, Microsoft 365, and modern endpoints while driving modernization and cost-conscious innovation across offices.

Qualifications

• Proven IT leadership experience, ideally in a law firm or professional services setting.
• Experience with IT infrastructure and applications.
• Experience selecting, managing, and coordinating external IT delivery partners, cloud hosts, and vendors.
• Strong business analysis and workflow automation experience, especially for legal or professional apps.
• Solid cybersecurity practices and experience working with MSSPs.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day management and continuous improvement of core technology systems (cloud document management, practice management platforms, Microsoft 365, endpoints, collaboration tools).
• Define requirements, set priorities, and identify effective application solutions as a business analyst.
• Oversee external software engineering and integration partners to build, refine, and maintain legal API workflows and client-facing automations.
• Collaborate with MSSPs to uphold cybersecurity standards and regulatory compliance; manage technology spend and contracts.

Skills

IT leadership

business analysis

vendor management

cybersecurity

communication

Tools

Intune

Microsoft 365

Document management platforms

Job description

ASCENDING is seeking an IT Director to lead a practical, business-aligned technology organization across its New York headquarters and Irvine branch. The role combines hands-on legal workflow automation, vendor oversight, strategic partnerships, and clear communication with a service-oriented mindset.

The ideal candidate will manage cloud services, Microsoft 365, and modern endpoints while driving modernization and cost-conscious innovation across offices.