What are the responsibilities and job description for the Applications Manager position at Ogletree Deakins?
Position Summary
Ogletree Deakins has the opportunity for an Applications Manager to join our Information Technology department. The Applications Manager is responsible for overseeing the implementation, support, and strategic optimization of 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 Application Manager’s team plays a critical role in supporting the firm’s enterprise applications, including iManage Document and Records Management systems, Aderant financial systems, Interaction (CRM), UKG/Ultipro HRIS, and many others. The Application Manager will work closely with related teams to ensure optimal system configuration and performance, upgrade and modernize applications, support cloud migration where appropriate, and align feature adoption with business requirements. In addition, the Applications team will support the many data integrations that exist among these enterprise systems, assist with troubleshooting, and collaborate with the Endpoint packaging team on client deployments.
This position will accomplish these objectives through hands-on execution while also coordinating, overseeing, and delegating to Technology department resources as well as external vendors, contractors, and consultants. This position will act as project manager for some related activities, while also working with dedicated project managers on larger projects as needed.
Essential Functions
Ogletree Deakins offers a robust suite of benefits for our Staff including: Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, a 401(k) matching program, Profit Sharing, Paid Holidays, Paid Parental Leave, affordable Health and Life Insurance including Dental & Vision coverage, Health Savings Account /Flexible Spending Accounts to help offset the cost of dependent care and/or health care expenses, Tuition Reimbursement and an Employee Assistance Program.
Contact Information
If you have questions, please e-mail Libby Naikelis at libby.naikelis@ogletreedeakins.com with “Applications Manager" in the subject line. Please note, applications submitted via e-mail will not be considered.
Firm Overview
Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Best Law Firms® has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for 14 consecutive years. In the 2025 edition, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor and Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 1,100 attorneys located in 60 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, including many of the Fortune 50 companies in the U.S.
We are fully committed to the importance of diversity within the legal profession, as well as all workplace environments.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
Ogletree Deakins has the opportunity for an Applications Manager to join our Information Technology department. The Applications Manager is responsible for overseeing the implementation, support, and strategic optimization of 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 Application Manager’s team plays a critical role in supporting the firm’s enterprise applications, including iManage Document and Records Management systems, Aderant financial systems, Interaction (CRM), UKG/Ultipro HRIS, and many others. The Application Manager will work closely with related teams to ensure optimal system configuration and performance, upgrade and modernize applications, support cloud migration where appropriate, and align feature adoption with business requirements. In addition, the Applications team will support the many data integrations that exist among these enterprise systems, assist with troubleshooting, and collaborate with the Endpoint packaging team on client deployments.
This position will accomplish these objectives through hands-on execution while also coordinating, overseeing, and delegating to Technology department resources as well as external vendors, contractors, and consultants. This position will act as project manager for some related activities, while also working with dedicated project managers on larger projects as needed.
Essential Functions
- Establish ownership over a portfolio of key enterprise 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 business 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 system 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.
- Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to recommend innovative solutions that elevate the user experience. Continuously develop technical and professional skills.
- Four-year degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, or related fields of study or equivalent experience.
- 10 years of progressive experience working with enterprise software and services
- 3 years as a supervisor/manager of a technical team.
- Strong knowledge of enterprise Document Management, Finance, HR, Marketing, and related systems.
- Strong understanding of enterprise application architectures, databases, integration technologies, and application lifecycle management.
- Experience with cloud-based platforms (iManage Cloud, UKG, SaaS ecosystems, Azure).
- 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.
- Proven success overseeing complex, multi-system environments and cross-functional delivery teams.
- Routine engagement with change management, IT governance, and implementation of security standards.
- Proficiency with ITIL or service management frameworks.
- Experience managing vendor relationships, consultants, and service level agreements related to business applications.
- Familiarity with leading legal applications including iManage DMS, Aderant financial systems, Aderant vi people management, Interaction, Foundation, and Intapp systems preferred.
Ogletree Deakins offers a robust suite of benefits for our Staff including: Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, a 401(k) matching program, Profit Sharing, Paid Holidays, Paid Parental Leave, affordable Health and Life Insurance including Dental & Vision coverage, Health Savings Account /Flexible Spending Accounts to help offset the cost of dependent care and/or health care expenses, Tuition Reimbursement and an Employee Assistance Program.
Contact Information
If you have questions, please e-mail Libby Naikelis at libby.naikelis@ogletreedeakins.com with “Applications Manager" in the subject line. Please note, applications submitted via e-mail will not be considered.
Firm Overview
Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Best Law Firms® has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for 14 consecutive years. In the 2025 edition, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor and Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 1,100 attorneys located in 60 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, including many of the Fortune 50 companies in the U.S.
We are fully committed to the importance of diversity within the legal profession, as well as all workplace environments.
Equal Opportunity Employer.