IT Developer

The Firm HFW is a sector focused global law firm. We have over 500 lawyers working across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. We take a progressive approach to our roles in commercial business - thinking creatively and pragmatically to support our clients.

Whether we are solving complex issues within the construction, aviation or shipping industries, or providing advice across insurance, commodities and energy we are specialist lawyers here to add value to our clients. We think about the commercial solution first, and then underpin our advice with a solid foundation of legal expertise.

The Department HFW has an IT Department of approximately 50 staff globally, located in London, Paris, Dubai, Hong Kong, Houston, Melbourne and Singapore. The IT team is undergoing a period of significant change and maturation very much aligned to the ambition of the firm, and this role is a key element in improving the performance and value derived from the applications supporting the legal practice and operations. Together, we are implementing a world-class IT infrastructure and services designed to assist our clients, lawyers and business services.

The Role HFW is running an ambitious digital transformation programme, which is moving the Firm's systems into Microsoft's cloud and leveraging the latest development and delivery techniques to deliver value to its clients and differentiate it from its competitors.

Requiring a hands-on, business-oriented approach, the role will design and develop new applications, which include web-based portals built on Mendix low code. The role will also develop and maintain a variety of integrations between core business systems such as IntApp Open, iManage Work and Thomson Reuters Elite 3E.

The successful candidate will have excellent T-SQL, SSIS and SSRS skills, with experience of developing applications using C#, .Net, MVC and Entity Framework. Experience of user experience design would also be beneficial.

It is a Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) level four role, which will sit within the Technology Delivery function and will work closely with the P3M, IT Operations and Cyber teams. This will include supporting an agile delivery model, with opportunities to take on a variety of roles within SCRUMs.

The role will offer excellent opportunities for development and progression, with exposure to a wide range of internal customers across the Firm, underpinned by training on a variety of technologies, e.g. Mendix.

The role is pivotal in ensuring that technology supports the delivery of legal services to HFW's clients, which will differentiate the Firm from its competitors.

The Firm has a flexible approach to working patterns and the workplace, which reflects its global nature.

Duties and responsibilities • The incumbent will perform at level 4 across a range of disciplines within SFIA. This includes: • Designs, codes, verifies, tests, documents, amends and refactors complex programs/scripts and integration software services. • Contributes to selection of the software development approach for projects, selecting appropriately from predictive (plan-driven) approaches or adaptive (iterative/agile) approaches. • Applies agreed standards and tools, to achieve well-engineered outcomes. • Participates in reviews of own work and leads reviews of colleagues' work. • Designs software components and modules using appropriate modelling techniques following agreed software design standards, patterns and methodology. • Creates and communicates multiple design views to identify and balance the concerns of all stakeholders of the software design and to allow for both functional and non-functional requirements. • Identifies and evaluates alternative design options and trade-offs. • Recommends designs, which take into account target environment, performance security requirements and existing systems. • Reviews, verifies and improves own designs against specifications. • Leads reviews of others' designs. Models, simulates or prototypes the behaviour of proposed software to enable approval by stakeholders, and effective construction of the software. • Verifies software design by constructing and applying appropriate methods. • Designs and develop users' digital and off-line tasks, interaction and interfaces to meet agreed usability and accessibility requirements. • Translates concepts into outputs and prototypes and captures user feedback to improve designs. Specifies appropriate tools, methods and design patterns. • Evaluates alternative design options and recommends designs taking into account performance, usability and accessibility requirements. • Interprets and follows visual design and branding guidelines to create consistent and impactful user experience. • Other responsibilities include: • Build prototype solutions to assess feasibility. • Deliver training sessions to facilitate the transfer of technical knowledge to colleagues. • Work closely with the P3M team, and suppliers where appropriate, to manage day to day the delivery, embedding and optimisation of business-oriented, innovative technology solutions. • Represent the IT department both internally and client facing as a member of the IT department. • Any other ad hoc duties as and when required.

Key skills and experience required • Effective evidence of ability to operate at SFIA Level 4. • Experience of involvement in successful development in a legal or comparable professional services organisation would be beneficial but not essential. • Candidates could be from a technology supplier by background. • Strong T-SQL development skills, with SSIS and SSRS experience. • Previous experience developing applications using C#, .Net. • MVC, Entity Framework experience. • Understanding of the principle of APIs (SOAP and Restful). • Experience in using TFS or similar Source Control. • Mobile development experience would be beneficial but not essential. • Excellent ability to multi task and manage stakeholder expectations. • Strong analytical skills. • Able to effectively translate and accurately communicate technology matters to senior technical and non-technical stakeholders. • Curious and inquisitive mind-set, with a passion for delivering innovative solutions. • Excellent, pragmatic approach to risk and issue management. • Professional manner with the ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively.

Additional Information Kindly note, this job description is not contractual. It will be reviewed periodically and may be amended or altered to meet the needs of the firm.

HFW aims to ensure equality of opportunity and we are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. All applications will be considered only on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.

Due to the volume of applications, only those candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

HFW operates a Preferred Supplier List (PSL). Recruitment agencies should not submit CVs unless they are part of the PSL and have been engaged regarding this specific vacancy.

HFW collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants to manage its recruitment process. The firm is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations. For information on how the firm will process your data, please see our Privacy Notice on our website (www.hfw.com/Privacy-Notice), in the section "What we collect and how we use it".