Job Description:

Messaging Manager

Recruiting Location

US-IL-Chicago

Summary

The Messaging Manager supports and improves critical business and technology processes by managing the administration, enhancement, implementation, and maintenance of critical firm-wide applications including, but not limited to, Exchange, Outlook, Email Archiving, Spam Filtering, Email Security, Cloud Services, Office 365, Azure, and Mobility. Additional responsibilities include user facing portions of collaboration tools such as phones, video conferencing, and Microsoft Teams. This position directs multiple projects and operational initiatives; oversees staff to ensure that specifications are accurate and that deliverables meet the approved specifications; ensures that processes and procedures are defined and followed to ensure quality, timeliness, and effective resource utilization; mentors, develops, and recruits department staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

Manage all administration, maintenance, implementation, upgrade, and support activities for applications in area of responsibility.
• Define and promote processes and procedures to improve the quality and stability of supported applications.


• Direct preparation of functional specifications, design documents, product evaluation and selection, and deployment plans.


• Oversee projects and/or requests being led by team members. Locate and adjust resources as appropriate to ensure quality and timeliness of deliverables.


• Maintain functional proficiency in industry and firm-standard software, hardware and related technologies necessary to provide consistently evolving, superior levels of professional support.


• Develop and maintain relationships with all IT teams and key administrative department managers to ensure that communication is open and ongoing and that technology needs are being addressed. Manage expectations on project scheduling and delivery based on multiple priorities.


• Work across departments to gather and understand the varying perspectives on the program and its solutions - function, user experience, privacy, risk, technology, security, etc.


• Establish and maintain business relationships with vendors of hardware, software, and related services critical to the efficient operation of the department.


• Be forward thinking continually evaluating vendor and system options defining a roadmap with an eye towards the cloud.


• Automate backend and user facing processes where applicable.


• Work with analysts and technical engineers to determine proper architecture of systems and overall environment.


• Move applications to the cloud in order to lessen our need for on-premise hardware and upgrade efforts.


• Assure systems have proper backups, high availability, and disaster recovery.


• Ability to explain and present ideas to technical and business people.


• Off-hours availability for consult and direction regarding critical application issues.


• Manage, mentor, develop, and recruit department staff.


• Provide consistent service excellence to IT and business staff as well as attorney practices.


• Apply proper attention and escalation to problem solving in order to shorten the length and impact of major issues.


• Significant current systems include the following -
  
  
  • Messaging - Exchange, Outlook, Proofpoint, Enterprise Vault, Office 365, Azure, InTune, Blackberry.
  
  
  • Collaboration - Jabber, Zoom, WebEx, Microsoft Teams.
  
  
  
  

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• A Bachelor's degree in area of specialty and/or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.


• Knowledge of messaging components (Exchange, Outlook, Email Archiving, Spam Filtering, Email Security, Cloud Services, Office 365, Azure, and Mobility).


• A minimum of 8 years of experience in the field or a related area.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of collaboration components (phones, video conferencing, Microsoft Teams).


• Prior experience at a law firm.

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong organizational skills


• Strong attention to detail


• Good judgment


• Strong interpersonal communication skills


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills


• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others


• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion


• Able to work under pressure


• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.