We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Manager - IT Operations to join our Digital team in Melbourne office.
The firm is embarking on an ambitious digital and infrastructure transformation program - modernising its core platforms, reducing on‑premises infrastructure, and progressively moving to cloud‑based services over the next 18 to 24 months.
The IT Operations Manager is accountable for the stability, performance, and evolution of the firm’s technology infrastructure. This role provides hands‑on leadership for the IT operations team while driving the strategic transition from a traditional on‑premises environment to a modern hybrid and cloud‑first model.
With significant leaps in cloud and AI offerings within the legal industry this is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate technology leader to be a pivotal contributor to shaping the Digital roadmap of the business, while providing all the necessary operational support of a growing firm.
In this role, day‑to‑day operations will also include overseeing all IT systems, managing a talented team, and ensuring the ongoing security and efficiency of our digital services.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Operational Excellence and Service Delivery
- Oversee day‑to‑day management of all infrastructure, servers, storage, network, and systems.
- Maintain and continuously improve IT service management processes aligned with ITIL best practice.
- Monitor system availability, performance and security, ensuring uptime and response SLAs are met.
- Manage IT assets and lifecycle across servers, workstations and mobile endpoints.
- Oversee vendor and contractor relationships for IT operations and support services.
- Manage a hybrid environment including on‑premises and Microsoft 365 ecosystems which provide the firm’s core productivity platforms.
- Partner with the Director of Digital Transformation and external specialists to design and implement cloud solutions that are secure, scalable and cost‑effective.
- Lead planning and execution of the firm’s cloud migration roadmap across key applications and services.
- Ensure system documentation, architecture diagrams and configuration management databases are accurate and maintained.
Team Leadership and Capability Development
- Lead, coach and develop the IT Operations team to deliver exceptional user support and customer service across the firm.
- Build a collaborative, service‑oriented culture with a focus on continuous improvement, automation and knowledge sharing.
- Establish clear KPIs and development plans for each team member, aligned with the firm’s strategic goals and capability frameworks.
- Work closely with the IT Trainer and People and Culture team to support staff digital literacy and effective use of Russell Kennedy systems.
Governance, Security and Compliance
- Support ISO 27001 compliance by role‑modeling information security best practices, ensuring employees, contractors and suppliers understand their information security responsibilities, and promoting appropriate training and awareness.
- Ensure day‑to‑day operations align with the firm’s Information Security Management System which includes ISO 27001 and Essential Eight initiatives.
- Establish and maintain robust backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity strategies.
- Support audit activities (internal and external) and client assurance requests for technical controls.
- Work with Information Security and Risk functions to identify and mitigate IT risks.
Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the firm’s infrastructure subject‑matter expert for strategic technology decisions.
- Develop and manage annual infrastructure budgets and forecasts, optimising cost and value.
- Produce metrics and reports for the Digital Leadership team and Operations Committee on service delivery performance, infrastructure health and cloud migration progress.
- Build trusted relationships with key stakeholders including Practice Group Leaders and Business Services teams.
Skills/Knowledge
- Knowledge of network infrastructure, firewalls, VPN, and endpoint management (Intune/Autopilot ideal).
- Sound understanding of cyber security and governance frameworks (ISO 27001, Essential Eight).
- Demonstrated leadership in team development, performance management, and cross‑functional collaboration.
- Excellent communication skills, able to explain technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders and influence at principal and executive levels.
- Tertiary qualification in Information Technology or related field preferred.
- ITIL and/or cloud certifications (eg Azure Administrator, AWS Solutions Architect) highly regarded.
Experience
- Minimum 8‑10 years in IT operations/infrastructure roles with 3‑5 years in leadership.
- Proven experience managing on‑premises and cloud infrastructure environments.
- Demonstrated experience leading cloud migration projects (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS in the Microsoft 365/Azure ecosystem highly regarded).
- Legal or professional services industry experience advantageous but not essential.
Further Information
Any questions regarding the vacancy can be directed to Rhoda Siu on or. For further information or to submit your application for this position please visit the careers page on our website. Please note any offer of employment made by Russell Kennedy Lawyers to the successful candidate will be subject to a police check. We are currently accepting applications from direct applicants only. No agency referrals will be accepted at this stage.
Our Firm and Culture
Russell Kennedy is a commercial law firm with more than 340 people in Melbourne and Sydney. We are committed to providing exceptional legal strategies and solutions to our clients, guided by market‑leading expertise across our key sectors of focus.
As part of our team, you’ll receive hands‑on experience, quality mentoring and access to valuable learning opportunities. We encourage a professional and committed work ethic, while recognising the importance of an enjoyable working environment and balanced lifestyle. We believe we have a culture where individuals of all backgrounds and abilities feel included and confident in bringing their whole selves to work, and where your talents are fostered, empowering you to contribute to the success of the firm.
Russell Kennedy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is certified as a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, as well as being certified as a gold employer in the Australian Workplace Equality Index for employers with 500 or less employees. We respect and celebrate the things that make each of us different. The firm supports and promotes a range of initiatives to create an environment that is characterised by equal access and respected participation of all groups and individuals. There is a particular focus and emphasis on gender equality, inclusion of First Nations peoples, accessibility for people with disability, LGBTIQ+ inclusion, and cultural diversity. Russell Kennedy is recognised by Australian Disability Network as a Disability Confident Recruiter employer.
Russell Kennedy is committed to attracting and retaining the best talent available. We acknowledge the importance of work‑life balance, all current and prospective employees have access to flexible work options and workplace adjustments including alternate accessible formats, where required. If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process please contact Leanda Nissen on or .
Russell Kennedy Lawyers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet and work. Our offices are situated on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri and Gadigal peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, to their emerging leaders and to the resilience, creativity and vitality of their cultures including their laws and systems of governance.
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