Finance Applications Manager

Job Description The Finance Applications Manager is responsible for overseeing the implementation, support, and strategic optimization of specific business applications within the organization. A core aspect of this role is to enhance and continually optimize the user experience, ensuring that software solutions are intuitive, efficient, and aligned with business objectives. This role blends portfolio leadership, application lifecycle governance, delivery oversight, and stakeholder engagement to ensure that systems remain reliable, secure, scalable, and aligned to the firm's business objectives. The Finance Application Manager plays a critical role in supporting the firm's enterprise financial applications, including Aderant (time and billing), accounts payable, general ledger, financial reporting, and related systems along with their associated integrations, workflows, and AI directions. A remote work arrangement is available for this position. Location Boston, MA Chicago, IL Los Angeles, CA New York City, NY Rochester, NY San Francisco, CA Washington, DC Responsibilities Serve as the key technical and business liaison to the Finance organization on all financial applications, building strong working relationships with the CFO, Controller, billing leadership, and finance operations teams. Translate business needs into technical solutions, advocate for finance stakeholders within IT, and ensure that financial systems strategy, roadmap, and day‑to‑day support are tightly aligned with the priorities of the Finance department. Coordinate, oversee and delegate the firm’s technology department resources as well as vendors, contractors and consultants, acting as a project manager while also working with a dedicated project manager on larger projects. Work closely with related teams to ensure optimal system configuration and performance, upgrade and modernize applications, support cloud migration and align feature adoption with business requirements. Establish ownership over a portfolio of key enterprise financial applications. Partner with other teams outside of IT to ensure proper operation, maintenance and lifecycle management of additional enterprise platforms. Lead the selection, deployment, management, and continuous optimization of applications, with a strong focus on improving end‑user experience and aligning with organizational goals. Lead team initiatives to monitor, troubleshoot, support, document, and maintain all required systems. Perform systems administration functions for in‑house, cloud‑based, or custom solutions including addressing day‑to‑day runtime issues, regular upgrades/patching, and testing. Ensure 24/7 high availability, performance, and sufficient capacity for efficient day‑to‑day operations. Develop and maintain a roadmap for systems including upgrades, adoption of new features, replacement of related servers, and cloud migration where possible. Meet regularly with vendors and internal system owners to stay abreast of new features, plan upgrades and adoption strategies, understand client upgrade requirements, and evaluate licensing changes. Communicate effectively with non‑technical customers and sponsors. Collaborate with business units to gather requirements, recommend solutions, and deliver enhancements or new applications that optimize usability and efficiency. Evaluate and recommend steps required to upgrade/replace/migrate enterprise systems, coordinating the development and execution of complex project plans as needed. Assist in implementing disaster recovery and business continuity plans for enterprise applications. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications 5+ years progressive experience working with enterprise software services Bachelor degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, or equivalent experience Legal Time & Billing Platforms (Essential) Aderant Expert – Deep expertise in configuration, customization, workflows, and administration Familiarity with competing platforms (Elite 3E, ProLaw) for industry context Understanding of legal billing concepts: WIP, eBilling, LEDES formats, matter management, and trust accounting Financial & Accounting Systems General Ledger and accounts payable systems (Chrome River, Concur, or similar) Financial reporting tools familiarity for industry context (Iridium BI, Aderant Spotlight, Power BI for Finance) Budget and forecasting applications (Big Hand, etc.) Database & Integration Technologies SQL Server administration and advanced concepts SSIS/SSRS for ETL and reporting Integration platforms and middleware (e.g., Boomi, etc.) APIs and web services Data warehousing concepts and dimensional modeling Reporting & Analytics Power BI (increasingly important for finance dashboards) SSRS and report development Aderant's reporting ecosystem Application Lifecycle & Delivery ITIL framework and service management practices Change management and release management processes Testing methodologies (UAT coordination, regression testing) Project & Portfolio Management Project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid) Vendor management and SOW experience Security & Compliance Understanding of SOC 2, data privacy frameworks Financial controls and audit support (segregation of duties, access reviews) Disaster recovery and business continuity planning for financial systems Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to recommend innovative solutions that elevate the user experience. Continuously develop technical and professional skills. Demonstrate leadership experience supporting legal industry applications or working in a law‑firm environment required. Exceptional communication, relationship building, and stakeholder management abilities. Strategic thinker with analytical problem‑solving abilities and attention to detail. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining delivery focus and quality. Salary Range Rochester, NY: $124,000 to $190,850 Boston, MA: $136,500 to $210,100 Chicago, IL: $136,500 to $210,100 Los Angeles, CA: $136,500 to $210,100 Washington, DC: $136,500 to $210,100 New York, NY: $150,000 to $231,000 San Francisco, CA: $150,000 to $231,000 Compensation In addition to a standard benefits package, this role may be eligible for additional contingent compensation based on an array of factors, including but not limited to: work performance, geographic location, work experience, education, and qualifications. Because such contingent compensation is not yet calculable or may be zero ($0) in some circumstances, the above‑listed salary range(s) are Nixon Peabody’s good faith estimate of the annual salary(ies) it reasonably expects to pay for the position at the time of this posting. Equal Opportunity Nixon Peabody LLP is an Equal Opportunity / Affidavit Action Employer: Disability / Veteran. Nixon Peabody is committed to creating a fair workplace and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Employment Eligibility Verification To comply with Federal law, Nixon Peabody participates in E‑Verify. All newly hired employees are verified through this electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm their identity and employment eligibility. Please refer to the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Right to Work posters on the Nixon Peabody Careers page for more information. #J-18808-Ljbffr Nixon Peabody LLP