To support the implementation of a significant Firmwide Finance Transformation Program (FFT) Dentons is currently recruiting to fill the role of Configuration Manager. The Global Finance Configuration Manager will form part of the core consulting and delivery teams that work alongside other central and regional teams delivering this major finance process and systems transformation program to Dentons' member firms across the global network. The role holder will fulfil a joint solution/application management and data governance role. They will ensure that the global and regional setups are documented and agreed in accordance the Global Data Management Policy, and within the framework of Master Data Services. They will also be responsible to ensure that the system setups and configurations are documented and maintained in the "master" instances in line with the output of the process and are aligned to the functional and technical solution designs and change management processes.
Initially the role will report to the Global Data Lead - Finance Transformation and work closely with key global, regional and local member firm stakeholders and teams (notably solution architects, process leads and data leads) to ensure the maintenance and governance of the wide-ranging suite of taxonomies and the alignment of system configurations and setups related to the program and its solutions. Upon the successful delivery of Phase 1 of this Program the role will transition to an operational position in the Global Enterprise Management team supporting the Program, the Global Finance function and other global and regional business service teams during future phases of the global delivery ensuring the ongoing maintenance of the data standards, governance and systems alignment across the global firm.
The FFT Program is a truly global program designed to transform Dentons' Finance function into the business partnering function of the future. It will support the business by offering true business insight, efficient and effective processes while maintaining the necessary compliance and controls. A key element of the Program is to deliver harmonized data and process alignment via a global design for all member firms and regional implementations of a modern suite of software solutions including TRE 3E, Data Insights, Tagetik FP&A and PwC Edge. The scope of the FFT Program spans the end-to-end finance policies, processes and related taxonomies including Risk Compliance and Controls, Order to Cash, Purchase to Pay, Record to Report. The primary objective of the global design is to harmonize disparate working practices and processes across the network and introduce standard business taxonomies to drive global efficiencies and opportunities.
The global design and build phases of the FFT Program are drawing to a close and the next critical phase of the program is to work with the regional member firms across the Dentons network to deliver the program and launch the solutions into the regions and member firms. The regional member firms can range in scale from 1000+ lawyers/attorneys with existing mature finance policies and processes to small firms with fewer than 25 lawyers/attorneys and very limited standard working practices. The support and guidance that the central teams will therefore need to give to the regional firms will vary significantly depending on the size and maturity of the specific member firm.
Why Dentons is different
The legal profession is changing rapidly and Dentons is leading the way in advancing change for the benefit of clients. We are driven to challenge the status quo, delivering consistent and uncompromising quality and value to our clients in new and innovative ways. With over 20,000 individuals in more than 200 offices, the opportunity is huge.
Dentons continues to receive external awards and recognition, including for our continued international expansion over the last 12 months; for ground-breaking innovation through the development of Nextlaw Labs and Nextlaw Global Referral Network; and for success in advising clients across multiple regions. Dentons is also a leader on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index and a BTI Client Service 30 Award winner.
Against such rapid growth and change, this role offers the successful individual the chance to play a significant role and make their mark in driving the successful implementation of this global program.
Key Deliverables
- Control and governance of the global setups and configuration assets – workbooks, configuration lists and data dictionary as well as the maintenance of this design in the "master" instances of the FFT solutions consistently across the global project.
- Central team liaison to support colleagues from regional member firms in the identification, agreement and governance of regional variations and extensions to global setups and configuration. Maintenance of this regional design in the "master" instances.
Key Responsibilities
Solution Configuration Management
- Build up the holistic view and subject matter expertise of the FFT solutions and applications, in particular, the global taxonomies and the required solution setup and configuration requirements in order to ensure that configuration decisions taken across the program are consistent with both the business requirements and, critically across the different work streams and FFT delivered applications.
- Work closely with global and regional process leads and stakeholders to ensure that detailed, consistent setups and configuration requirements are captured and ensure that the configuration design meets the global and regional requirements of the firm.
- Work with solution architects, process leads and data leads from the program and vendors to ensure the setups and configurations align with solution technical design
- Ownership and gatekeeper of the configuration workbooks to ensure that the consistency and control over these critical documents is maintained.
- Support and advise the regional teams as they develop requirements, propose and agree regional and local configuration needs to meet any regional data or process variation requirements.
- Work with global and regional process leads to ensure that regional requirements meet the specific business requirements and are able to meet the minimum control standards and align with security and delegation of authority principles.
- Management, control and documentation of the baseline setups / configuration effort
- Day-to-day gatekeeper of all configuration changes during the Build and Testing phases of each project within the program.
- Responsibility to ensure that all subsequent setup and configuration updates are applied in the “master” instances in accordance with specific system architecture and the global change management controls.
- Work with the data and conversion colleagues to ensure that global and regional “was-is” lists are closely managed and that they are in line with the "to-be" taxonomies and the FFT application configuration design. Support the regional testing of this aspect during data conversion testing phases.
- Work closely with development resources to support design and test of customisations and other technical deliveries to ensure that the configuration and customisations are complementary and meet overall business and technical requirements
- Identification and presentation of configuration and design decisions (including potential conflicting requirements) to relevant groups including integration management, program management, business and technical design authorities. Drive through the decisions required to maintain consistent, practical and achievable system configuration.
- Support the Testing team as they develop and maintain testing scripts to ensure that a thorough and repeatable global configuration testing process is designed and implemented
- Work closely with the Change Management stream to understand significant aspects of configuration and system design that will require specific change management interventions such as enhanced communication and training etc.
Configuration Governance
- Track setups and solution configuration compliance to policies, procedures, business processes and resolving / escalating any compliance issues
- Facilitate global and regional setup and configuration management audits
- Engage with other strategic projects to ensure that setups and configuration are aligned with FFT standards and can deliver required solution functionality within project timeframes
- Work with the Global Data Lead to manage the Global Finance Configuration Control Board (CCB) and enact changes as directed.
Standards
- Support the maintenance of the Global Design integrity during delivery projects and as part of an operational continuous improvement department
- Support the assessment of local / regional and global design change requests and the presentation of change request proposals to the relevant regional and global forums including the Global Business Solution Architect, Regional Steering Committees and Business Design Authority.
Collaboration/Support for
- Data architecture and data conversion / cleansing tasks
- Business Intelligence reporting requirements through process design
- Technical teams during development and support system integration testing
- Training needs analysis
- Business testing, including scenario definition and UAT
- Change team in creating impact of change assessments with regional teams
- Training team in creating global training materials and modifying global collateral for regional audiences
- Central and regional training team in delivery of training
- Business cutover and service transition planning and execution
- Post go-live support model, triage user-reported incidents from a setups and configuration perspective
Key to success:
- A strong understanding of financial and practice management process systems within law firms and the typical legal / professional services taxonomies.
- Proven ability to comprehend and interpret financial terminology
- Common sense, with a strong focus on delivery and team work
- Strong oral and written communication skills to deliver messages clearly and confidently in English business speaking countries but where English may not be a first language
- The ability to maintain and build relationships with key parties at all levels and across multiple jurisdictions and cultures
- Ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting demands.
- Strong intellectual rigor and commercial awareness.
- Results driven and well-developed analytical skills.
- Solutions orientated with the ability to address problems by gathering relevant information and formulating alternatives
- Tenacity, strong organizational skills, a sense of humour, a desire to learn, a desire to form part of an effective and dynamic team and the ability to go the extra mile when required
Significant experience and a proven track record in/as:
- Strong experience working as a process analyst or application consultant with TRE 3E or other global legal practice management systems
- Experience working in a similar Application Consultant role on at least two similar legal global finance transformation program would be highly advantageous.
- Excellent knowledge and experience delivering 3E configurations and set-ups
- Although not essential to the role, experience of the 3E system customization techniques would be beneficial
- Strong working knowledge of other legal solutions such other 3E solutions (EDI, 3EP). Knowledge of Chrome River, the Intapp suite and eBH as well as FP&A processes and solutions (notably Tagetik) would also be beneficial
- Thorough understanding of legal taxonomies, data mapping and data conversion strategies and techniques is essential.
- Experience analyzing, creating and modeling business processes using a variety of tools and techniques;
- Experience of working within a fast moving, complex, international organizations and/or programs.
- Experience of working with global stakeholders within a legal environment.
- IT literate, user of MS Visio, other project management tools such as requirements traceability tools, testing tools etc. Fluent in MS Office. Prior experience using Azure DevOps would be beneficial but not essential
- Background in systems analysis and/or business analysis preferable.
- Demonstrable strong data analysis and mapping skills.
- Proven experience in the generation and collation of project documentation.
- Significant testing design and systems and process testing exposure.
Applications from current residents in the following countries, will be considered:
UK, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Poland
Disclaimer: Please ensure when applying for this role that you are legally eligible to work/live in your preferred location. Visa sponsorship or relocation costs will not be provided
Diversity & Inclusion
Essential to our success as a global law firm is our ability to attract and retain the best talent from a diverse range of backgrounds. We want a work environment where everyone can reach their potential and we have an inclusive culture which respects individual differences.
We undertake and support a number of internal and external initiatives aimed at increasing diversity within the profession and we encourage all our partners and staff to get involved.
Equal Opportunities
Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all.
Reward and Recognition
Remuneration and befits package will reflect the successful candidates experience and country where hired.
Applications from individuals directly, should be sent to Global Recruitment Team: [email protected]
Requirements