Director Applications Development Jobs in California

The Director, Practice Applications will lead the firm's Practice Applications function and oversee the strategy, implementation, governance, and user adoption of the firm's portfolio of legal technology and AI-enabled applications. This role is responsible for building and managing a team of AI Product Managers focused on delivering high-quality, business-aligned technology solutions that support attorneys and business professionals across the firm. The Director will oversee product strategy, vendor management, training, adoption, user experience, and lifecycle management for a broad portfolio of platforms, including legal research tools, generative AI applications, document automation, contract lifecycle management, eDiscovery solutions, intranet technologies, and matter and time management systems.

This position serves as a critical bridge between the firm's Knowledge Management & Applications and Data Science & AI Engineering functions, ensuring that purchased technology solutions align with business priorities, integrate effectively into legal workflows, and deliver measurable operational value. The Director will play a key leadership role in evaluating emerging technologies, guiding build-versus-buy decisions, establishing product governance standards, and driving successful implementation and adoption strategies across the firm.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement the operational framework for the Practice Applications function, including product ownership structure, intake and prioritization processes, release management, performance metrics, and delivery standards.
• Recruit, lead, mentor, and develop a team of AI Product Managers, fostering strong product management practices across product discovery, roadmap development, implementation, release management, and performance measurement.
• Establish and promote a collaborative, business-focused, and results-oriented team culture centered on delivering effective legal technology and AI solutions that support attorney and client needs.
• Oversee team resource allocation and portfolio management across practice groups, business functions, and strategic initiatives based on operational priorities, complexity, and business impact.

Product Ownership of AI and Legal Tech Portfolio

• Oversee the firm's portfolio of legal technology and AI-enabled applications, including product strategy, roadmap development, configuration, integrations, release management, and lifecycle governance.
• Partner with Data Science & AI Engineering leadership to evaluate and recommend build-versus-buy technology strategies based on business needs, operational efficiency, scalability, and strategic value.
• Establish and monitor key product performance metrics, including user adoption, engagement, satisfaction, efficiency gains, quality improvements, and business impact.
• Lead and maintain strong product management practices, including stakeholder discovery, backlog prioritization, roadmap planning, release coordination, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Horizon Scanning & Market Intelligence

• Monitor emerging trends, technologies, vendors, pricing models, and market developments within the legal AI and legal technology landscape, including insights from peer firms, alternative legal service providers, and industry organizations.
• Lead structured technology evaluation and innovation initiatives, including vendor assessments, proof-of-concept programs, pilot processes, and strategic market analysis to support firmwide technology planning and investment decisions.
• Provide data-driven recommendations and strategic guidance to firm leadership and practice groups regarding emerging legal technologies, market opportunities, and technology adoption priorities.
• Develop and maintain strong external relationships with technology vendors, industry peers, professional organizations, and the broader legal innovation and AI community to support strategic partnerships and industry engagement.

Adoption & Training

• Lead product adoption and change management initiatives by establishing adoption goals, monitoring utilization metrics, reporting on performance, and implementing strategies to improve user engagement and product effectiveness.
• Partner with Talent Development and IT training teams to develop and deliver onboarding programs, role-based training, continuing education resources, certification pathways, and ongoing learning initiatives aligned with evolving technologies and business needs.
• Foster a network of internal product champions and key stakeholders to support user engagement, encourage knowledge sharing, gather feedback, and promote effective utilization of firm technologies.
• Collaborate with the Knowledge Management & Innovation team to ensure technology adoption strategies are effectively integrated into practice group workflows and day-to-day operations.

User Experience & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee the end-user experience across the firm's legal technology and AI application portfolio, ensuring solutions are intuitive, effective, and aligned with attorney and business user needs.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives through user research, utilization analytics, support trend analysis, and stakeholder feedback to identify opportunities for product enhancements, configuration improvements, training updates, and strategic roadmap adjustments.
• Manage vendor performance and accountability by monitoring product quality, user experience standards, service delivery expectations, and ongoing platform improvements.

Vendor Relationships & Commercial Stewardship

• Manage the firm's strategic vendor relationships across the legal technology and AI portfolio, including vendor evaluation, onboarding, operational oversight, renewals, and lifecycle management.
• Lead vendor selection and procurement initiatives, including RFPs, proof-of-concept evaluations, business case development, security and risk assessments, and contract negotiations aligned with firm objectives and user needs.
• Oversee contract management, pricing negotiations, and renewal processes in partnership with Procurement, Finance, Risk, and Legal teams, with a focus on confidentiality, data governance, intellectual property protections, regulatory compliance, and overall cost management.
• Develop and maintain strong executive-level relationships with key technology vendors to support strategic alignment, product influence, service quality, and ongoing platform enhancements.
• Continuously evaluate and optimize the firm's technology portfolio by identifying opportunities to consolidate tools, improve operational efficiency, reduce redundancy, and maximize business value.

Collaboration Across the Firm

• Collaborate closely with the Director of Data Science & AI Engineering on technology strategy, build-versus-buy decisions, platform integrations, shared solutions, and coordinated product roadmaps.
• Partner with the Director of Knowledge Management & Innovation to ensure legal technology and AI solutions align with practice group priorities, operational workflows, and broader innovation initiatives.
• Work with CIO/IT leadership and technology teams to support infrastructure, security, identity management, system integrations, and operational support for the firm's legal technology portfolio.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to practice and business leaders by communicating technology options, strategic recommendations, and operational considerations in a clear, practical, and business-focused manner.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related quantitative field, or equivalent experience in lieu of degree. A J.D. or other legal background is preferred but not required.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in product management, legal technology, legal operations, or a related discipline, including leadership experience managing product-focused or technology-related teams.
• Proven experience overseeing enterprise software portfolios, including product selection, implementation, adoption, lifecycle management, performance measurement, renewals, and retirement planning.
• Significant experience within a law firm, corporate legal department, or professional services environment, with a strong understanding of legal workflows, partnership structures, and operational decision-making processes.
• Strong familiarity with the legal technology and AI landscape, including generative AI platforms, legal research tools, document automation, contract lifecycle management, eDiscovery, matter management, and timekeeping systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in product management methodologies, including stakeholder discovery, prioritization, roadmap planning, release management, performance measurement, and continuous improvement practices.
• Experience leading vendor management, procurement, and commercial negotiation processes, including RFPs, proof-of-concept evaluations, contract negotiations, renewals, escalations, and technology risk assessments.
• Proven ability to lead enterprise-wide product adoption, training, and change management initiatives in partnership with Learning & Development, Professional Development, IT, and business stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with executive leadership, attorneys, business professionals, and external vendors.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and organizational skills, with the ability to drive innovation, operational excellence, and measurable business outcomes within a fast-paced environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior leadership experience overseeing legal technology, practice solutions, product management, or innovation functions within an AmLaw 100 or similarly sophisticated professional services organization.
• Active participation in the legal technology, innovation, or knowledge management community through professional organizations, industry events, speaking engagements, or peer networks.
• Experience managing teams, projects, or technology initiatives across multiple offices, jurisdictions, and geographic regions.
• Familiarity with user experience (UX) research methodologies, accessibility standards, and product usability best practices.
• Understanding of law firm financial and operational metrics, including utilization, realization, leverage, alternative fee arrangements, and the business impact of legal technology solutions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds.

Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for the position in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.

The expected salary range for this position is $255,000 - $375,000. Final compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, relevant experience, qualifications, skill set, and geographic location.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please contact us at PillsburyWorkday@pillsburylaw.com.