Director of Applied AI

Philadelphia, PA - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 4 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Please note that the firm is posting this position in advance to attract qualified candidates. We anticipate beginning interviews in January 2026 and will be collecting and reviewing resumes over the coming weeks.

Qualified applicants should feel free to apply or send your cover letter and resume to Sara Arndt Vice President of Operations & Success:

Position Type: Full-Time

Location: Pittsburgh Harrisburg Philadelphia Malvern or Lancaster PA
Department: Operations / IT

Position Overview

The Director of Applied AI is a responsible for designing implementing and managing the firms applied artificial intelligence strategy across legal services business operations and client service delivery. This individual will lead cross-departmental AI initiatives identify high-impact use cases ensure compliance with ethical and regulatory standards and drive measurable improvements in efficiency profitability and client experience.

This role requires a forward-thinking strategic leader with strong technical literacy a deep understanding of legal workflows and the ability to translate emerging AI capabilities into practical secure and scalable solutions for the firm.

Key Responsibilities

AI Strategy & Governance

Develop and execute a firm-wide applied AI strategy aligned with operational goals practice group needs and long-term growth objectives.
Support the firms AI Governance Committee ensuring oversight risk management and responsible adoption.
Establish policies standards and controls for ethical compliant use of AI (including confidentiality cybersecurity and data governance).
Evaluate and recommend AI platforms and tools (legal research drafting eDiscovery pricing workflow automation etc.).

Implementation & Use-Case Development

Identify and prioritize high-value AI use cases in both administrative functions and legal practice groups.
Lead pilots and structured rollout plan for applied AI tools including training programs user adoption strategies and ROI measurement.
Partner with IT Practice Group Chairs Operations HR and others to integrate AI into daily workflows.
Build frameworks for attorney paralegal and staff utilization of AI focusing on productivity and risk mitigation

Operational Excellence & Efficiency

Drive measurable improvements in process efficiency docketing document drafting research intake billing and other operational functions through AI optimization.
Support development of AI-enabled dashboards workload automation and process maps to support decision-making.
Collaborate with Operations/Finance on costbenefit analysis vendor evaluations and ongoing budget oversight for AI initiatives.

Training & Change Management

Create and deliver firm-wide training on applied AI tools best practices and responsible use.
Manage change-management initiatives to ensure adoption reduce risk and address cultural considerations.

Client-Facing Innovation

Collaborate with Practice Group Leaders and Business Development to integrate AI capabilities into client offerings pricing models and proposals.
Support development of client-facing AI policies engagement letter language and compliance materials.

Risk Compliance & Cybersecurity

Work closely with IT - cybersecurity risk management and general counsel teams to maintain compliance with ethical rules privacy laws and data-security standards.
Conduct ongoing assessments of AI-related risks including misinformation hallucinations and unauthorized data exposure.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Bachelors degree required advanced degree in Law Information Systems Computer Science or related field preferred.
10-15 years of experience in legal operations innovation technology or related fields with at least 5 years leading AI automation or digital-transformation initiatives.
Prior experience in a law firm legal tech company or professional services environment strongly preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

Strong understanding of legal workflows attorney support needs and law-firm operational models.
Working knowledge of generative AI (LLMs) machine learning concepts automation tools and legal-tech platforms.
Ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical applications for non-technical users.
Excellent communication training and stakeholder-management skills.
Proven ability to manage cross-departmental projects and deliver measurable business results.
Strong analytical project-management and vendor-negotiation experience.

Key Competencies

Strategic and forward-looking thinker
Flexible with the ability to adapt to changing business priorities.
Highly collaborative with ability to work with attorneys executives and operational teams
Strong judgment and commitment to confidentiality and ethical use of AI
Process-improvement mindset
Excellent communicator and change-management leader

Required Experience:

Director