Finance Applications Manager (Aderant)

Job Description: The Finance Applications Manager is responsible for overseeing the implementation, support, and strategic optimization of specific business applications within the organization. A core aspect of this role is to enhance and continually optimize the user experience, ensuring that software solutions are intuitive, efficient, and aligned with business objectives. This role blends portfolio leadership, application lifecycle governance, delivery oversight, and stakeholder engagement to ensure that systems remain reliable, secure, scalable, and aligned to the firm's business objectives. The Finance Application Manager plays a critical role in supporting the firm's enterprise financial applications, including Aderant (time and billing), accounts payable, general ledger, financial reporting, and related systems along with their associated integrations, workflows, and AI directions. A remote work arrangement is available for this position. A career at Nixon Peabody is the opportunity to do work that matters. It’s the chance to use your knowledge to shape what’s ahead. To share, to innovate, to learn at a firm that taps the power of collective thinking. We’ve created a dynamic, energizing environment that promotes success for our clients and each other. We offer fast growth, connectedness and training in business as well as law. And our rigorous standards assure you are part of a diverse team of top talent at every turn. If you’re someone who’s looking toward the future, we’d love to hear from you. Location: Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; New York City, NY; Rochester, NY; San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC Serve as the key technical and business liaison to the Finance organization on all financial applications, building strong working relationships with the CFO, Controller, billing leadership, and finance operations teams. Translate business needs into technical solutions, advocate for finance stakeholders within IT, and ensure that financial systems strategy, roadmap, and day-to-day support are tightly aligned with the priorities of the Finance department.Coordinate, oversee and delegate the firm’s technology department resources as well as vendors, contractors and consultants, acting as a project manager while also working with dedicated project manager on larger projects.Work closely with related teams to ensure optimal system configuration and performance, upgrade and modernize applications, support cloud migration and align feature adoption with business requirements.Establish ownership over a portfolio of key enterprise financial applications. Partner with other teams outside of IT to ensure proper operation, maintenance and lifecycle management of additional enterprise platforms.Lead the selection, deployment, management, and continuous optimization of applications, with a strong focus on improving end-user experience and aligning with organizational goals.Lead team initiatives to monitor, troubleshoot, support, document, and maintain all required systems. Perform systems administration functions for in-house, cloud-based, or custom solutions including addressing day-to-day runtime issues, regular upgrades/patching, and testing. Ensure 24x7 high availability, performance, and sufficient capacity for efficient day-to-day operations.Develop and maintain a roadmap for systems including upgrades, adoption of new features, replacement of related servers, and cloud migration where possible. Meet regularly with vendors and internal system owners to stay abreast of new features, plan upgrades and adoption strategies, understand client upgrade requirements, and evaluate licensing changes.Communicate effectively with non-technical customers and sponsors. Collaborate with business units to gather requirements, recommend solutions, and deliver enhancements or new applications that optimize usability and efficiency.Evaluate and recommend steps required to upgrade/replace/migrate enterprise systems, coordinating the development and execution of complex project plans as needed.Assist in implementing disaster recovery and business continuity plans for enterprise applications.Perform other duties as assigned. To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential job responsibility listed above, satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. Nixon Peabody retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position. The requirements listed below are representative of the skills and abilities required. 5+ years progressive experience working with enterprise software servicesBachelor degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, or equivalent experienceLegal Time & Billing Platforms (Essential)Aderant Expert – Deep expertise in configuration, customization, workflows, and administrationFamiliarity with competing platforms (Elite 3E, ProLaw) for industry contextUnderstanding of legal billing concepts: WIP, eBilling, LEDES formats, matter management, and trust accountingFinancial & Accounting SystemsGeneral Ledger and accounts payable systems (Chrome River, Concur, or similar)Financial reporting tools familiarity for industry context (Iridium BI, Aderant Spotlight, Power BI for Finance)Budget and forecasting applications (Big Hand, etc.)Database & Integration TechnologiesSQL Server administration and advanced conceptsSSIS/SSRS for ETL and reportingIntegration platforms and middleware (e.g., Boomi, etc.)APIs and web servicesData warehousing concepts and dimensional modelingReporting & AnalyticsPower BI (increasingly important for finance dashboards)SSRS and report developmentAderant's reporting ecosystemApplication Lifecycle & DeliveryITIL framework and service management practicesChange management and release management processesTesting methodologies (UAT coordination, regression testing)Project & Portfolio ManagementProject management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid)Vendor management and SOW experienceSecurity & ComplianceUnderstanding of SOC 2, data privacy frameworksFinancial controls and audit support (segregation of duties, access reviews)Disaster recovery and business continuity planning for financial systemsStay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to recommend innovative solutions that elevate the user experience. Continuously develop technical and professional skills. Demonstrate leadership experience supporting legal industry applications or working in a law-firm environment required.Exceptional communication, relationship building, and stakeholder management abilities.Strategic thinker with analytical problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining delivery focus and quality In accordance with applicable Federal and State laws, the anticipated annual salary range for this position, depending on location, is as follows: Rochester, NY: $124,000 to $190,850 Boston, MA: $136,500 to $210,100 Chicago, IL: $136,500 to $210,100 Los Angeles, CA: $136,500 to $210,100 Washington, DC: $136,500 to $210,100 New York, NY: $150,000 to $231,000 San Francisco, CA: $150,000 to $231,000 In addition to a standard benefits package, this role may be eligible for additional contingent compensation based on an array of factors, including but not limited to: work performance, geographic location, work experience, education, and qualifications. Because such contingent compensation is not yet calculable or may be zero ($0) in some circumstances, the above-listed salary range(s) are Nixon Peabody’s good faith estimate of the annual salary(ies) it reasonably expects to pay for the position at the time of this posting. Nixon Peabody LLP is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer: Disability / Veteran. Nixon Peabody is committed to creating a fair workplace and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. To comply with Federal law, Nixon Peabody participates in E-Verify. All newly hired employees are verified through this electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm their identity and employment eligibility. Please refer to the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Right to Work posters on the Nixon Peabody Careers page for more information.