Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Mills & Reeve is centred on achieving more for clients, their businesses and the wider communities they serve. They are a successful, ambitious top 40 law firm, with 1,300 people and over 800 lawyers working across seven UK offices, with clients including global and UK based businesses, FTSE 250 and AIM listed organisations, high net worth individuals and landowners, more than 120 universities, colleges and education bodies and over 100 healthcare organisations. Continued strong financial performance has seen their turnover go above £150 million, surpassing their own ambitious growth targets.
The firm is rightly proud to have been placed in “The 100 Best Companies to Work For”, for a record 20th year running, achieved Best Companies three star accreditation which reflects extraordinary levels of workplace engagement, and recently achieved a Platinum status from Investors in People, an award only achieved by 6% of the organisations assessed. See https://www.mills-reeve.com/.
Technology development and adoption that enhances the human experience will be a key focus of the firm’s 2030 strategy, recognising that a well-defined, co-ordinated, and communicated technology, digital & data strategy is foundational to the delivery of its vision. Good progress has already been made across these areas and the incoming CTO will take on the leadership role that has been undertaken to date by the Managing Partner (supported recently by an interim CTO) to provide her with more bandwidth.
This new role at the firm will report to the Managing Partner and be a member of the firm’s Central Operations Group (COG), comprised of the Business Services Directors. It will chair the firm’s Leader in Innovation & Technology Strategy Board and lead a team of 30+ with three Director / Head of level direct reports. The firm has an appetite and enthusiasm to drive forward in this area and wants to find someone who can bring with them new ideas and experiences.
The role requires expertise across multiple areas, including organisational management; innovation; strategy and planning; operational oversight and technology infrastructure; leadership and communication, and supplier management. A role specification goes into more detail on all of these areas.
Candidates will have extensive leadership experience, preferably in professional services, and a proven track record of leading on technology strategy in a growth-oriented organization built on a solid understanding of technology and industry trends. This role could suit someone from a larger firm who is looking to take on their first number one position, or someone already in such a number one role attracted by their highly regarded brand and appetite to excel this area.
Whatever the background it is essential applicants:
- Are strategic thinkers who will continually challenge how the firm uses technology, digital and data to lead innovation in the legal market.
- Can build relationships effortlessly with a transparent, inclusive and open communication style so as to build consensus and trust at all levels.
- Have an entrepreneurial and innovative approach to solving complex issues, coupled with the ability to analyse and implement solutions.
- Can lead and manage multiple teams to create cohesion and a sense of belonging.
- Retain a clear sense of direction, but understand the need to listen to the views of others.
This role can be based in any of the firm’s offices, ideally Birmingham or Cambridge to maximise proximity to team members and senior stakeholders, with travel to other offices needed on a regular basis.