Global IT Manager of Business Analysis

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Information Technology department in our Chicago office, as a Global IT Manager of Business Analysis.

The Global IT Manager of Business Analysis supports the Director: Global IT Project Management in driving the strategic alignment of IT initiatives with business objectives and ensuring the effective implementation of projects that enhance operational efficiency and client services. As the Global IT Manager of Business Analysis this role will lead the day to day activities of a team of Business Analysts in defining, analyzing, and documenting business requirements, testing, and training to support the development and implementation of IT solutions. The role is responsible for the management and quality of the analysts’ output. In addition, as an individual contributor and expert in these functions, the role will lead projects from inception to completion up to 60% of the time, ensuring quality throughput while collaborating closely with senior leadership, legal teams, and IT experts to deliver impactful business solutions. The role also establishes business analysis best practices and guides the team in this area.

Essential Functions:

• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Leads, mentors, and manages a team of IT Business Analysts, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and excellence
  • Oversees the professional development of team members through hiring, coaching, performance evaluation, and training
  • Identifies training needs for the business analysts and coordinates training programs to enhance skills and knowledge
  • Allocates resources effectively across various projects, ensuring efficient utilization of the team

• Stakeholder Management:
  • Acts as a point of contact between IT and business stakeholders, particularly within the legal and business services departments
  • Builds and maintains strong relationships with senior leadership and key internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on business priorities and IT strategy

• Business Analysis & Solution Delivery:
  • Leads the gathering and documentation of business requirements, ensuring that solutions are developed with a clear understanding of business goals and firm needs
  • Ensures that business analysis processes and documentation are in line with best practices and industry standards
  • Oversees the development of functional specifications, system designs, and detailed requirements that guide development teams
  • Assesses business needs and assists stakeholders in building business cases and developing Request for Proposals (RFPs) for new projects, guiding them through the vendor selection process
  • Collaborates with IT teams to ensure solutions are scalable, secure, and compliant with legal industry regulations/data protection standards, and firm policies

• Project Management Support:
  • Works closely with and supports the Program/Project Manager to provide business analysis expertise for ongoing and upcoming IT projects, ensuring timely delivery and quality
  • Assists with project scoping, planning, and scheduling to ensure alignment with organizational objectives
  • Tracks and reports on the status of projects, including any risks, issues, and deliverables related to business analysis

• Continuous Improvement:
  • Evaluates existing processes and systems within the firm, recommending improvements or innovations that optimize workflows, enhance user experience, and drive business value
  • Ensures that business analysis methods and tools are continuously improved to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Stays informed about industry trends and emerging technologies relevant to business analysis
  • Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives

Education/Training/Certifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered in lieu of the degree when the experience has been directly related to the functions of the job.

Professional Experience:  

• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in IT business analysis successfully delivering impactful business process improvements and solutions
• Minimum 3 years of experience managing a team of business analysts, ideally within a PMO, IT department, in a law firm, or professional services environment
• Experience with legal practice management systems, document management systems, billing, or client management systems is highly advantageous
• Solid experience working with stakeholders on a global basis
• Organizational Change Management experience a plus

Technical Skills:  

• Ability to create and maintain documentation using Microsoft 365 and Office products specifically Visio, Excel, and Project/Planner as well as other related products such as Miro.
• Familiarity with low/no code, data analysis, data visualization and reporting & analytics (Tableau, Power BI, Power Apps, or Power Automate)
• Recognized business analyst or project management qualification e.g. Lean Six Sigma, CBAP, PRINCE2, PMI, or ScrumAlliance
• Excellent knowledge of Business Modelling techniques and tools
• Possesses expert knowledge of system development lifecycle stages (requirements, design, build, test, deploy), methodologies (waterfall, agile, scrum, SAFe), and their integration with business analysis

Performance Traits:

• Exceptional leadership, problem-solving, written and verbal communication skills (ability to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors)
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills

Management Accountabilities:

• Manages processes for direct reports in regards to performance appraisals, annual compensation, goal setting and performance counselling
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations
• Conducts analysis of staffing levels and participation in the recruitment process
• Able to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficiencies
• Process- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills
• Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner

Physical Requirements:

• May require travel to other offices as needed

The typical pay scale for this position is between $141,600 and $187,200, although the actual wage or salary could be lower or higher if the candidate’s education, experience, skills and internal pay alignment are different from those specified. 

The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

Thank you for your interest in Mayer Brown. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request a reasonable accommodation related to the application process and/or job interview, please email uslateralrecruiting@mayerbrown.com. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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