Director of AI & Automation

Job Description

Faegre Drinker is seeking a Director of AI & Automation to lead the firm's innovation program. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10+ years of leadership and management experience in technology, particularly in complex professional services, legal, or similarly regulated environments.

• Designs, deploys, and manages AI platforms in production environments, including hands-on experience with enterprise AI platforms like Harvey and Microsoft Copilot.
• Hands-on experience with UIPath or equivalent enterprise automation platforms, including bot development, process design, and operational governance.
• Working familiarity with enterprise data platforms and AI-ready data products, sufficient to collaborate effectively with the firm’s Data Management function.
• Deep command of security and privacy requirements specific to this role's AI and automation domain, including AI security, privilege risk, Zero Data Retention (ZDR) controls, matter-level data isolation, the Privilege Firewall API, RAG data handling, automation/bot access controls, and audit, as well as the implications of legal rulings on AI-generated content.
• Strong understanding of modern data and AI ecosystems, including integration architecture, data platforms, BI, process automation, generative AI, applied machine learning, and governance controls.
• Proven ability to operate credibly with C-level leaders and translate strategy into funded priorities, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes.

What You Would Do

Leads the technical design, deployment, and continuous refinement of the firm’s enterprise AI platforms, Harvey and Microsoft Copilot, anchored by the PLIL architecture.

• Operates the firm’s AI gateway, including the Privilege Firewall API, Zero Data Retention (ZDR) contractual controls, matter-level data isolation, and RAG-based retrieval frameworks in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory standards.
• Evaluates, pilots, and operationalizes AI tools and vendors in partnership with the CTIO and firm stakeholders.
• Ensures AI deployments adhere to Model Context Protocol (MCP) orchestration principles and are built to support agentic execution with appropriate guardrails for a professional services environment.
• Drives automation initiatives across matter intake, invoice review, contract renewal monitoring, and other high-value operational workflows in close collaboration with attorneys and professional staff.
• Maintains a clear architectural distinction between AI-assisted automation and fully agentic execution, and implements appropriate oversight, audit, and escalation controls for each tier.
• Builds and continuously improves automation standards, playbooks, and governance frameworks that scale across practice groups and operational departments.
• Collaborates with the CTIO to define and execute the firm’s innovation, AI, and automation roadmap aligned to business priorities, practice needs, client expectations, and the firm’s technology strategy.
• Manages the Catalyst Studio, the firm’s shared, cross-functional engineering and automation build team, distinct from the client-facing Design Lab.
• Leads and develops a high-performing multidisciplinary team spanning enterprise architecture, process automation, AI engineering, legal workflow innovation, and AI governance.
• Partners with the Data Management function, which engages Finance (Elite 3e), HR (Workday), DMS (iManage), and CRM (Legal 360) stakeholders, to align data products with AI platform needs.

What Is Expected

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and diplomacy skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a virtual environment.
• Demonstrated ability to use good judgment in taking initiative while asking for direction or clarification and consulting others, as appropriate.
• Willingness to be flexible with time and adjust to a changing work environment.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships, both internally and externally, while maintaining a client service orientation in a collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated ability to use sound judgment and discretion in dealing with highly confidential information.
• Proven ability to work independently, organize and accurately prioritize work, be detail-oriented, understand when urgency is required, and use good judgment in varied situations.

What We Offer

• A flexible working environment for work-life success.
• Opportunity to participate in firm-sponsored volunteer events.
• Wellness programming with personalized content and activities.
• Professional environment and the opportunity to work with experts at the top of their fields.
• Variety of health plan options, as well as dental, vision, and 401(k) plans.
• A generous paid time off.

Pay and Benefits

The anticipated initial annual salary range for someone who is hired into this position is $251,400 – $293,300. Actual initial salary may be above or below the above-identified range and will be based on the relevant skills, training, experience, and other job-related factors, including the location where the position is filled, in all cases consistent with applicable law. This is an exempt role and the initial salary range listed above is just one component of Faegre Drinker's total compensation and benefits package for professional staff, which includes, but is not limited to, a discretionary bonus; life, health, accident, and disability insurance; and a 401(k) plan.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Faegre Drinker, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic made unlawful by applicable federal, state or local laws. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of employment, including retirement, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, and termination.