Senior Director, Innovation & Strategic Transformation

Michael Best is seeking a visionary, execution-oriented Senior Director, Innovation & Strategic Transformation to lead the Firm's innovation strategy and drive transformational change across our legal and business operations.

This highly visible leadership role will partner closely with Firm Leadership to accelerate innovation, advance the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), and deliver strategic initiatives that enhance client service, improve operational efficiency, and create sustainable competitive advantage.

In this role, you will:

• Influence firmwide strategy and innovation priorities.
• Lead and scale a growing multidisciplinary team.
• Drive AI adoption and business transformation initiatives.
• Partner with executive leadership on some of the Firm's most important strategic investments.
• Create meaningful impact for clients, attorneys, and business professionals.

What You'll Own:

Innovation Strategy & Portfolio Leadership

• Lead the Firm's innovation and strategic transformation portfolio, aligning initiatives to organizational priorities and long-term business objectives.
• Establish and oversee governance processes for identifying, prioritizing, funding, and measuring innovation initiatives.
• Build compelling business cases and success metrics to ensure investments deliver measurable value.
• Advise Firm Leadership on innovation trends, emerging technologies, and strategic opportunities.

Strategic Planning

• Serve as a key contributor to the development and execution of the Firm's multi-year Strategic Plan.
• Coordinate planning efforts across executive stakeholders and business leaders.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable initiatives, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes.

AI & Automation Leadership

• Champion the Firm's AI strategy and drive the responsible evaluation, piloting, and adoption of AI-enabled solutions.
• Identify and prioritize high-value AI and automation use cases across legal and business operations.
• Measure, communicate, and expand the impact of AI initiatives throughout the Firm.
• Partner with technology and business leaders to ensure AI initiatives align with governance, security, and compliance standards.

Practice & Business Innovation

• Partner with Practice Group Chairs and business leaders to design innovative approaches that enhance client service, productivity, and profitability.
• Lead process improvement and workflow optimization efforts across legal and administrative functions.
• Identify opportunities to standardize, automate, and modernize how work is performed throughout the Firm.

Change Leadership & Adoption

• Drive organizational adoption of new technologies, processes, and ways of working.
• Develop strategies that support successful change management, communication, and training efforts.
• Foster a culture of innovation, curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Leadership & Team Development:

This leader will oversee a multidisciplinary team responsible for:

• Knowledge Management
• AI & Automation
• Process Improvement
• Business Intelligence & Analytics
• Strategy
• Portfolio & Project Management
• Organizational Change Management
• Training & Technology Adoption

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Increased adoption of AI and innovation initiatives across the Firm.
• Improved efficiency, productivity, and operational effectiveness.
• Enhanced client experience and service delivery.
• Delivery of measurable business value and return on investment.
• Successful execution of strategic initiatives and transformation programs.
• Development of a high-performing and highly engaged innovation team.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in innovation, strategy, transformation, operations, technology, process improvement, or related disciplines.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide change initiatives and strategic programs.
• Demonstrated success driving innovation, automation, AI, or digital transformation efforts.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and influencing executive stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate strategy into measurable results.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred

• Advanced degree such as an MBA, JD, or graduate degree in technology, analytics, engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience within a law firm, professional services organization, consulting firm, or other complex, highly regulated environment.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, Lean Six Sigma, Prosci, design thinking, or similar disciplines.
• Experience with AI, machine learning, automation technologies, analytics platforms, and emerging legal technology solutions.
• Familiarity with tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Power Automate, Harvey, and related AI platforms.

The Company

This is an opportunity to work with the Best. We are Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP. We are a full-service law firm with more than 350 lawyers and technical professionals who work in collaborative, interdisciplinary practices to serve clients around the world.

We work with companies in all kinds of industries, as well as trade associations, nonprofits, educational institutions, governments, family trusts, and high-net-worth individuals. Since our firm’s founding in 1848, we’ve continuously evolved to meet our clients’ changing needs and expectations. One thing remains the same: For generations, clients have relied on Michael Best for exceptional legal service and business acumen.

The Location

We have offices in Wisconsin (Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Waukesha); Illinois (Chicago); Utah (Salt Lake City); Colorado (Denver, Broomfield); Texas (Austin); North Carolina (Charlotte, Durham, Raleigh, Wilmington); California (Los Angeles); Nebraska (Lincoln); and Washington DC. Our contemporary office spaces are ideal for concentration and collaboration; supporting our culture of working together to make great things happen for our Clients. This position can be based in any of our offices.

Why You Should Apply

At Michael Best, we are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that provides a variety of resources designed to enhance its employees’ overall well-being, both at work and at home. Competitive base pay, outstanding benefits, opportunities for learning and growth, programs designed to help you plan for the future, and perks that inspire your downtime are all part of our total compensation package.

Learning and Growth

• Challenging and Dynamic Role
• Career Development Planning
• Professional Growth Opportunities
• Performance Management and Coaching
• Specialized Training Programs

Health & Wellness

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision Care
• Health Savings Accounts
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Program
• Employee and Family Assistance Program

Total Compensation

• Competitive Base Pay
• Annual Merit Review/Incentive Pay
• Outstanding Benefits
• Generous PTO Plus 10 Paid Holidays

Planning for the Future

• 401(k) with Company Contribution
• Short Term Disability Plan
• Long Term Disability Plan
• Life Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Parental/Family Leave

Culture and Workplace

• Respected organization with Collaborative Culture
• Growing Firm with an Exciting Future
• Contemporary Work Environment
• Positive and Respectful Work Climate
• Performance Recognition

For California, Colorado, District of Columbia, and Illinois applicants only: The annual compensation range for a Senior Director of Innovation & Strategic Transformation in our California, Colorado, District of Columbia, and Illinois offices is between $250,000 and $300,000. The salary range reflects our good-faith expectation for this role at the time of posting. Final compensation will depend on experience, skills, and internal equity. Senior Director of Innovation & Strategic Transformation are eligible to participate in Michael Best’s bonus program, subject to the program’s conditions and restrictions. This position is considered full-time and is therefore eligible to participate in employer-sponsored benefits, including medical, dental, vision, as well as elective/voluntary life, disability, accident coverage, paid holidays, paid time off, and eligible reimbursements. All full-time employees are eligible to participate in the firm's 401k plan. Application review will begin on 8/14/2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Submit your application by clicking apply now.

To be considered for this position, please submit an application via our online portal.

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP and Michael Best Strategies LLC (collectively known as "Michael Best") are steadfastly committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination based upon age, race, religion, color, disability, marital status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact our Recruiting team at (414) 271-6560 or [email protected] to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.