Senior Manager, AI & Analytics

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better . McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune , The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With Us, You’ll Find

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!
• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.
• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.
• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Job Description McDermott, Will & Schulte LLP is building one of the most forward-looking AI programs in the legal industry — and the financial intelligence layer beneath it demands equally ambitious leadership. The Senior Manager, AI & Analytics owns the Accounting & Finance Systems Reporting, Data & AI Center of Excellence — driving strategy, governance, and delivery of analytics, intelligent automation, and AI capabilities that power the firm’s financial operations. This is a senior leadership role: build the roadmap, set the standards, lead the program, and deliver measurable impact.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the Reporting, Data & AI Center of Excellence — establishing strategy, governance, operating standards, and a multi-year roadmap for the function
• Develop and maintain a prioritized portfolio of reporting, analytics, automation, and AI initiatives across the Accounting & Finance organization
• Define and govern reporting standards, KPI definitions, and semantic models — driving data stewardship, self-service analytics, executive dashboards, and enterprise intelligence
• Own the Accounting & Finance AI program end-to-end — intake, prioritization, governance, implementation, training, adoption, and value realization
• Identify opportunities to apply AI, machine learning, and intelligent automation across Contract-to-Cash, Invoice-to-Pay, and Plan-to-Report
• Establish responsible AI governance including controls, transparency, auditability, risk management, and compliance
• Partner with Information Technology on application strategy, integrations, security, data architecture, and governance
• Lead governance forums to prioritize initiatives, monitor progress, and measure business outcomes
• Develop and mentor team members while fostering collaboration, accountability, and innovation

What You Bring

• 10+ years of progressive experience in analytics, reporting, financial systems, automation, AI, or digital transformation
• 3+ years of leadership experience, with a track record of building and developing high-performing teams
• Proven ability to establish governance frameworks, operating models, and strategic roadmaps
• Strong command of accounting principles, financial operations, reporting, internal controls, and data governance
• Working knowledge of generative AI, intelligent automation, prompt engineering, and responsible AI practices
• Exceptional ability to translate complex business requirements into scalable technology solutions — communicating equally well to a CFO and an engineer
• Outstanding communication, presentation, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Business Administration, Data Analytics, Computer Science, or related field required
• Master’s degree, MBA, CPA, CMA, or equivalent advanced credential preferred

Preferred

• Professional services or legal industry experience
• Experience supporting enterprise financial systems and reporting environments
• Experience leading enterprise AI adoption or governance initiatives
• Background in systems integration, workflow automation, or modern …