Legal Operations Manager

About The Role

The Legal Operations Manager plays a crucial role in optimizing the legal department's efficiency and effectiveness, overseeing key aspects such as process improvement, technology implementation, financial management, and vendor relationships. The position involves actively supporting the Legal Department's operations function by managing the legal intake process, coordinating workflow, preparing ad-hoc reports, developing an automated contract inventory and document management system, and overseeing legal projects and strategic initiatives. This role requires a solid understanding of contract management and legal processes, along with experience in building and maintaining strong cross-functional relationships with legal business partners and collaborators.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Planning:

• Collaborate with legal leadership to develop and implement strategic initiatives aligned with overall business objectives.
• Assess and identify opportunities for process improvements, cost savings, and increased productivity.

Process Improvement:

• Streamline legal processes and workflows to optimize efficiency.
• Implement best practices and technology solutions to enhance legal operations.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures to ensure consistency and compliance.

Project Management:

• Manages day-to-day legal operation workflow for department.
• Directs both the legal intake and document management systems to maintain data integrity and ensure prompt assignment of matters to attorneys for legal review.
• Leads and supports cross-functional projects and initiatives and global functions on behalf of the Legal Department.
• Uses industry research and analysis of internal data across the organization and relevant industries to identify best practices for specific tasks, matter types, and documents.
• Creates documentation, reports, and related work through a project lifecycle and ensures that assigned duties and responsibilities/project results are completed.
• Maintains and distributes project plans and associated information.
• Responsible for the coordination of department's SharePoint site and content.

Technology Management:

• Evaluate, implement, and manage legal technology tools to enhance departmental performance.
• Oversee the integration of legal software and systems to improve workflow automation and data management.

Vendor Management:

• Manage relationships with external legal service providers, including law firms and other vendors.
• Negotiate contracts and service agreements to ensure favorable terms and value for the organization.
• Develop and enforce corporate policies and processes to manage outside counsel usage.

Data Analytics and Reporting:

• Utilize data analytics to assess legal department performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Generate regular reports for legal leadership, highlighting key metrics and performance indicators.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure legal operations adhere to regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Collaborate with the compliance team to mitigate legal risks and maintain a strong risk management framework.

Team Leadership:

• Provide guidance and support to legal staff in the implementation of operational initiatives.
• Support team by managing inbound requests, translating requests to create defined deliverables, and acting as a point of escalation to troubleshoot issues as they arise.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field
• 10+ years of demonstrated expertise in legal operations, project management, or a closely related field.
• Possesses a robust understanding of legal processes and technological solutions.
• Skilled in optimizing and streamlining operational processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Exhibits excellent leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
• Displays effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly and concisely.
• Proficient in project management, overseeing and executing various operational initiatives.
• Capable of managing multiple projects concurrently.
• Demonstrates strong collaboration and relationship-building skills within the operations team and across different departments.
• Collaborates effectively with executives and stakeholders.
• Adaptable and flexible in navigating and leading through change.
• Thrives in a dynamic and evolving business environment.