Innovation Operations Specialist in San Francisco, California at Morrison & Foerster LLP

Innovation Operations Specialist

Locations: San Francisco, California; Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; Washington, District Of Columbia
Req ID: 5938
Position Type: Information Technology
Job Overview

At MoFo, we couldnt write our own success story without yours. Ready to write your story?

Join MoFo as an INNOVATION OPERATIONS SPECIALIST on our Information Technology team!

This role can be based in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York or Washington, D.C.
https://www.mofo.com/offices

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Practice Innovation & Technology team drives the firms AI and innovation strategy. The team leads strategic workstreams for firm leadership, evaluates and manages a growing portfolio of AI tools and vendor relationships, advises practice groups on technology-enabled workflow transformation, and handles a high volume of requests from attorneys and operational stakeholders across the firm.

The Innovation Operations Specialist is the operational backbone of this team. This role owns the processes, systems, and coordination that keep a fast-moving, high-visibility team running smoothly ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks as the team scales its impact across the firm.

Reporting to the Director of Practice Innovation & Technology, you will own critical operational processes end-to-end, serve as the teams primary point of contact for vendors and internal stakeholders, and be the person everyone relies on to keep work organized, moving, and visible.

Stakeholder Intake & Coordination

• Manage the intake process for requests to the Innovation team. As attorneys, practice leaders, and operational stakeholders reach out for tools, support, or consultations, log and triage those requests and route them to the appropriate team member.
• Maintain a clear, current view of the teams request pipeline whats been received, whats in progress, and whats been resolved and flag items that need escalation or prioritization.
• Serve as the scheduling coordinator for inbound meeting requests to the Practice Innovation team, managing calendar logistics for stakeholders seeking time to discuss innovation needs or opportunities.

Vendor Pipeline & Procurement Coordination

• Serve as the primary point of contact for inbound vendor inquiries. Conduct initial assessments, schedule demonstrations, and manage the evaluation pipeline from first contact through the teams decision.
• Track the teams input on vendor evaluations, maintain evaluation records, and ensure assessment decisions are documented and communicated.
• For vendors that advance past evaluation, coordinate with the firms procurement and information security teams, managing the handoff, supporting risk assessment processes with information security and compliance stakeholders, and tracking progress through to execution.

License Management, Budget & Contract Administration

• Manage licenses across the teams portfolio of AI and technology tools: provisioning and deprovisioning user access, tracking utilization, and maintaining accurate records of the firms tool ecosystem.
• Track team spend against budget across vendor contracts and technology investments. Process invoices, reconcile expenses, and maintain visibility into budget status.
• Maintain the contract calendar: renewal dates, notice periods, pricing terms, and key milestones. Proactively flag upcoming deadlines and surface opportunities to optimize license allocation and spend.

Team Operations & Reporting

• Coordinate logistics for leadership meetings, Innovation Advisory Group sessions, training workshops, and team events: scheduling, room booking, distributing materials, and tracking follow-up items.
• Produce regular operational reports and dashboards covering vendor pipeline status, request volumes and trends, license utilization, and budget tracking. Ensure the team and leadership have clear visibility into operational health.
• Support the operational side of team communications: maintaining distribution lists, scheduling announcements, updating the teams intranet presence, and coordinating logistics for firmwide programs and rollouts.

ABOUT YOU

• Exceptional Operator: You have 3-6 years of experience in a fast-paced, high-expectations environment professional services, management consulting, finance, or a similar setting where precision, reliability, and the ability to manage competing priorities are table stakes. Youve supported senior leaders or high-performing teams and understand what it takes to keep complex operations running.
• Process Builder: You dont just follow processes you see whats missing and build whats needed. You have a natural instinct for creating structure, tracking systems, and workflows that make a team more effective.
• Confident Communicator: Youre comfortable interfacing with senior stakeholders, external vendors, and cross-functional partners. You represent the team professionally and know how to manage relationships with people at all levels.
• Detail-Oriented and Reliable: You take pride in accuracy and follow-through. When you own a process, nothing falls through the cracks. You proactively flag issues before they become problems.
• Curious About Technology: You dont need to be a technologist, but youre energized by working at the intersection of technology and business. Youre comfortable learning new tools quickly and can hold your own in conversations about AI and legal technology.
• Ownership Mindset: You see yourself as owning the operational engine of the team, not just executing tasks. You anticipate what the team needs, take initiative, and hold yourself to a high standard.
• Education: Bachelors degree required.

ABOUT MOFO

At MoFo, we collaborate as one firm, across borders, practice areas, and business functions and value fresh ideas and innovation over conformity and competition.

• About Us: https://www.mofo.com/about
• Inclusion + Engagement: https://www.mofo.com/community/we-at-mofo
• Commitment to Pro Bono: https://careers.mofo.com/careers-pro-bono
• The MoFo Foundation: https://www.mofo.com/culture/mofo-foundation

ABOUT OUR BENEFITS

MoFo offers a comprehensive benefits package starting on your first day.

• A variety of options for medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage to meet the needs of you and your family.
• Industry-leading parental leave and family benefits including adoption and fertility treatment options and backup child and elder care.
• Global wellness program, including free access to Talkspace and Calm apps.
• Annual community service day to make an impact on your community and a birthday holiday just for fun.
• Education reimbursement annually.
• Dedicated Talent Development team.
• Competitive annual profit-sharing contribution.

Where required by law, salary ranges are stated below. Additional compensation may include a discretionary bonus, overtime as applicable, health/welfare benefits, retirement contributions, paid holidays, and PTO. The range displayed is specifically for positions performed in those cities/states and may vary based on factors including but not limited to the following: local market data and ranges; an applicant's skills and prior relevant experience; and certain degrees, licensing, and certifications.

New York, San Francisco salary range: $80k to $112k

Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. salary range: $76k to $106k

For questions regarding this position, please e-mail jobs@mofo.com

Morrison & Foerster is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran or military status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partner status, and other categories protected by applicable laws, or in retaliation for opposition to any practices forbidden under this policy.