Lead Business Analyst - Business Technology Innovation

Description

At Polsinelli, What a Law Firm Should Be, is not just our tagline, it is what we live every day. We strive to create an environment where our team members are encouraged to bring their creativity and professional passions into the workplace so that they can thrive. Are you a people person who has a keen eye for detail, thrives in a professional environment and wants to be part of a dynamic team? We have the perfect role for an engaging professional like you!

Polsinelli seeks a Lead Business Analyst – Business Technology Innovation to accelerate firm-wide AI adoption. Embedded in the AI Program, you will be the bridge between our business technology functions (Finance, Marketing, HR, Recruiting, etc.) and IT/PMO teams—turning high-value use cases into secure, production-ready solutions. You’ll translate workflows into technical requirements, steer vendors and IT partners, and keep executives informed while they stay focused on strategy. Success demands equal parts technical fluency and business acumen, plus the autonomy to drive projects from intake to measurable impact. Onsite preferred in the Kansas City Office.

Core Responsibilities

1. Business Engagement & Requirements Analysis

• Primary liaison between IT, business leadership, and AI governance teams, ensuring initiatives are well-defined, technically feasible, and aligned with firm priorities.
• Conduct structured discovery sessions with attorneys, practice-group leaders, department heads, and administrative teams to assess workflows, pain points, and AI-driven opportunities.
• Translate business needs into Business Requirement Documents (BRDs), process maps, and detailed functional/technical specifications for IT, AI development teams, and vendor partners.
• Lead scoping discussions with IT/PMO to confirm infrastructure fit, realistic timelines, and resource needs.
• Independently manage technical execution, collaborating closely with IT while keeping AI Program Leadership informed—without requiring day-to-day oversight.

2. AI Intake, Evaluation & Governance

• Operate the AI intake pipeline: run cross-functional discovery, perform scoring, cost/benefit, and risk analyses, and present recommendations to the AI Program Steering Committee.
• Support continuous improvement of intake and evaluation frameworks that prioritize high-impact opportunities.
• Embed information-security, privacy, client-confidentiality, ABA Model Rule, and broader compliance considerations throughout each project lifecycle.
• Maintain a centralized AI tracking system that gives firm-wide visibility, accountability, and structured reporting on all AI projects.

3. Project Execution & Vendor Coordination

• Orchestrate end-to-end solution delivery—vendor diligence, pilot design, requirements capture, risk review, rollout planning, and adoption tracking—to move each functional area from concept to measurable results.
• Set work priorities, acceptance criteria, and release-readiness standards with IT/PMO and external vendors; track schedules, milestones, budgets, and proactively escalate blockers.
• Oversee AI tool rollouts from deployment validation through onboarding, ensuring seamless user integration and post-implementation support (gathering feedback and refining deployments).
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts to ensure solution quality, utilization, and continued alignment with firm needs.

4. Change Management, Adoption & Training Strategy

• Develop and execute firm-wide adoption strategies that maximize AI impact across business units.
• Act as an AI evangelist, educating attorneys and staff on capabilities, limitations, and best practices.
• Collaborate with practice-group leaders, department heads, and the Training Department to tailor solutions, refine education strategies, and create training materials, user guides, and best-practice documentation.
• Gather user feedback and adoption analytics to iterate features, workflows, and learning content for sustained usage.

5. Communications & Executive Stakeholder Support

• Provide communications support—drafting AI program updates, release communications, in-app prompts, and internal knowledge-sharing materials under AI Program Leadership direction.
• Deliver regular written and verbal updates to Executive Sponsors, CIO, Legal Practice Leadership, and the AI Program Steering Committee, highlighting progress, risks, issues, and decisions needed.

6. Data, Insights & Continuous Improvement

• Build and maintain dashboards that visualize intake pipeline, project status, usage metrics, and value realization for leadership reporting.
• Define and monitor key performance indicators (e.g., cycle time, governance compliance, adoption rates, ROI) to drive continuous improvement.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate project/program risks; track resolution plans and incorporate lessons learned into future initiatives.

Requirements

Must-Haves

• 5-8 + years in business analysis, product management, or solutions consulting within a professional‑services, legal‑tech, or enterprise IT setting.
• Proven track record translating complex business workflows into technical requirements for AI, automation, or data‑driven solutions.
• Working knowledge of generative AI concepts (LLMs, RAG, prompt design), automation (RPA/IPA), and data‑governance principles.
• Demonstrated success coordinating with IT/PMO and vendor engineering teams to deliver production‑grade solutions.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; ability to influence partners ranging from first‑year associates to C‑suite executives.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred skills:

• Experience in an Am Law 100 firm or legal‑tech vendor environment.
• Familiarity with iManage, Microsoft Copilot, or TR CoCounsel ecosystems.
• Prior ownership of intake/governance frameworks for emerging technologies.

#IND123 #LI-Onsite

Polsinelli PC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender identity and expression, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, ancestry, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.