Associate Director, People Technology & Analytics

About Us

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has forged a reputation as one of the most prestigious law firms in the world. Relying on innovation, intellect, teamwork and tenacity, our lawyers deliver the highest quality advice and novel solutions to our clients’ legal issues. We are known for handling the most complex transactions, litigation/controversy issues, and regulatory matters, as well as for the strong partnerships we build with clients and each other. Our attorneys, who reflect a broad range of experiences and perspectives, work together seamlessly across 50-plus practices and 21 offices in the world’s major financial centers.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an Associate Director, People Technology & Analytics to join our Firm. This position will be based in our New York office (hybrid). This role will be a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for evolving and optimizing the Firm’s people technology ecosystem and translating data into actionable insight and driving informed decisions. This role will be responsible for the Firm’s Workday HCM platform and other HR applications, elevating the employee experience and improving business outcomes, and building and shaping a modern people technology and analytics function. This role will lead the development and execution of the people technology and analytics roadmap, partnering closely with the people teams, finance, IT, and business leaders to improve hiring, growing, rewarding, and retaining talent across the attorney and business services populations. The Associate Director will also play a critical role in supporting the Firm’s transition from a localized HR generalist model to an shared services model and guiding the design of scalable processes and tools, and ensuring employee data is accurate and well governed. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

People Technology (HRIS) Leadership

• Serve as the primary business owner for Workday HCM and other HR systems, including roadmap, design decisions, release management, and issue escalation.
• Oversees end-to-end change management for Workday, including requirements, impact assessment, testing, communications, and training.
• Drives process standardization and optimization where appropriate in partnership with people operations/shared services, compensation, talent management, learning and development and HR business partners.
• Leads team of HRIS and analytics professionals, ensuring employees are skilled, knowledgeable and engaged.

People Analytics and Reporting

• Builds and maintain a robust reporting and analytics framework across HR, including recurring dashboards, ad hoc analyses, and executive-ready insights.
• Translates business questions into clear requirements; deliver data-driven insights for informing decisions at leadership and functional levels.
• Develops KPIs and metrics for key people processes, such as hiring, internal mobility, performance, retention, and diversity.
• Oversees data visualization tools and standard reporting templates to support self-service analytics where appropriate.
• Ensures consistent definitions and methodologies are used in reporting across the Firm.

Data Governance and Quality

• Establishes and maintains strong data governance practices for people data, including ownership, definitions, and controls.
• Monitor and improves data quality in Workday and related systems, including audits, root cause analysis, and corrective action plans.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, Benefits, Payroll and IT to manage data privacy, system security, and access controls in line with global regulations.

Stakeholder Management and Partnership

• Acts as a trusted advisor to the people teams and business leaders on people technology capabilities and analytics.
• Facilitates cross-functional discussions to prioritize enhancements and projects based on impact, feasibility, and risk.
• Works with the people teams to ensure technology and analytics solutions are practical, user-friendly, and aligned with service delivery goals.

Team Leadership and Development

• Builds and leads a high-performing people technology and analytics team.
• Sets clear objectives and ways of working, encouraging a culture of continuous improvement, accountability creativity, and service excellence.
• Champions the effective use of people technology and data across the people teams through training office hours, and documentation.

AI & Digital Innovation

• Evaluates where and how to leverage AI, automation, and machine learning responsibly across HR processes (e.g., recruiting, engagement analytics, talent management, reporting).
• Pilots and scale AI-enabled tools that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision quality.
• Ensures adherence to data privacy and ethical standards in all AI and technology applications.

Vendor & Budget Management

• Manages relationships with people technology vendors; oversee contracts, renewals, SLAs, and performance.
• Leads vendor evaluations and RFPs for new systems or enhancements, ensuring ROI and alignment with enterprise strategy.
• Partners with IT to maintain cost efficiency and compliance with company standards.
• Forecasts financial and budget requirements for the department, prepares related reports, and monitors the budget.

• Monitors time, attendance, overtime, and expense reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with Firm policies.
• Participates in the interviewing, selection and training process.
• Initiates disciplinary procedures in collaboration with the Human Resources Department.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Complies with and understands Firm operation, policies and procedures.
• Manages Firm resources responsibly.
• Performs other projects as directed.

Qualifications

• Strong HR data analysis and reporting skills, including HR metrics and workforce analytics.
• Solid understanding of core HR processes, such as employee lifecycle, organizational management, compensation, and performance.
• Demonstrates knowledge of applying AI and digital automation to improve HR efficiency, insight, and employee experience.
• Proficient in utilizing data visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Workday Prism.
• Ability to translate complex technical and data topics into clear language for non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong relationship-building skills and comfort working with senior leaders.
• Curious and solutions oriented, with a bias for action.
• Skilled in balancing strategic planning with hands-on configuration and analysis.
• Strong attention to detail, with a focus on data quality and control.
• Collaborative partner who can influence without relying on formal authority.
• Emulates, through leadership, the Firm's core values
• Knowledge of and ability to administer Firm operations, policies and procedures
• Ability to handle sensitive matters and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work well in a demanding and fast-paced environment
• Flexibility to travel and to adjust hours and work the hours necessary to meet operating and business needs

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Information Systems, Data Analytics, or related field
• Minimum of 15 years of related experience, including HCM systems management and working in a global or multi-country organization with complex organizational structures.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience building and leading technology teams with varying levels of experience.
• Minimum of 8 years' experience with Workday HCM in a configuration or product owner role including multiple modules, such as Recruiting, Talent, Performance, Advanced Compensation, or Time and Absence.

Culture & Life at Skadden

What makes Skadden special is our people and the culture, community and spirit of collaboration we have created. We believe in teamwork and inspiring each other to be our best in an atmosphere that promotes professionalism and excellence in all that we do. We know that inclusion and drawing on the strength of a wide spectrum of talent only make us better and is vital to the firm's success. Our goal is for everyone at the firm to enjoy a challenging career with opportunities for development and growth and to support the well-being of our attorneys and business services professionals.

Benefits

The overall well-being of our team is important to us. We offer generous benefits to help you achieve wellness in all areas of your life.

• Competitive salaries and year-end discretionary bonuses.
• Comprehensive health care (medical, dental, vision), savings plan/401(k) and voluntary benefits.
• Generous paid time off.
• Paid leave options, including parental.
• In-classroom, remote, and on-demand learning and professional development opportunities.
• Robust well-being classes and programs.
• Opportunities to give back and make an impact in local communities.

For further details, please visit: https://www.skadden.com/careers/staff/employee-benefits

The starting base salary for this position is expected to be within the range listed under Salary Details. Actual salary will be determined based on skills, experience (to the extent relevant) and other-job related factors, consistent with applicable law.

Salary Details

$270,000 - $300,000

Skadden is an Equal Opportunity Employer (Disability/Vet/other protected categories). For more information, please visit Skadden.com/careers.