Director Legal Operations

Director, Legal Operations

Role overview & Purpose

We are seeking a highly motivated, change management professional to be the Director of Legal Operations, reporting to a Legal Leadership position. This person will lead the creation of processes and practices to improve the day-to-day efficiency and effectiveness of the legal team, facilitate change and control costs. The Director of Legal Operations will have overall responsibility for department operations, including project management and planning; legal technology; financial management; transactional services center and external provider management; Legal KPIs and data management.

Key Relationships

• Reports to: Legal Leadership Position
• Direct reports: Members of the Legal Operations Team
• Other key relationships: Legal Leadership Team; Finance; Technology; HR

Key Responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for Legal Operations team, team’s performance, and developing Legal Operations disciplines within the department including: financial performance, technology, reporting and analytics, contract management, outside provider management, project & process management.
• Handle with Legal Technologies, tools integration, AI, Contract Lifecycle Management, Legal Requests tools, internal clients experience.
• Provide monthly Legal Data reports and manage with legal KPIs to track the department performance.
• Work with the Legal Leadership Team to find synergies across the department to increase efficiency and effectiveness
• Communicate with CLO orany other Legal Leadership position to keep him/her apprised of all operational issues within the Department.
• Design, plan, and implement business strategies, plans, and procedures for the department
• Overall responsibility for department budget including Annual Operating Plan and long term financial plans. Manage the overall Legal Department budget and Legal Operations team budget consistent with Group Finance targets.
• Manage all department shared service operations
• Manage relationships with other Enabling Function leads (e.g. HR, Finance, GCAM)

Specific tasks include:

• Establish programs, procedures, and operational capabilities to execute department strategy.
• Lead department financial management including setting annual operating plan, strategic financial plans, and establishing protocols to facilitate department meetings its financial targets.
• Execute and continually evolve technology roadmap for department.
• Develop, maintain, and lead outside counsel alternative legal service provider management program with senior Group attorneys.
• Create department and functional area analytics and dashboards for department management.
• Maintain and deploy project management and process improvement capabilities across the department.
• In conjunction with HR develop and maintain an internal resource management program.

Outcomes

• Lead all operational aspects of the Legal department.
• Develop, maintain, and continually improve department operational capabilities and expertise to drive operational excellence within the department.
• Assist in ensuring the effectiveness of the legal function and consistency of legal advice and processes globally

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent required. Master’s of business administration, law degree, PMP and other project/ technology certifications a plus. At least 3 years experience with legal project operations and management within a company or law firm.

Experience

• The demonstrated ability to engage and influence across functional areas.
• Demonstrated experience in process improvements and efficiencies in work flows in the legal context
• Demonstrated experience in using technology and data to improve group performance. Specifically, strong experience in developing, implementing and using legal department technology solutions, such as Onit, e-billing and matter management, and stays current on the most up-to-date technology in the legal field like systems integration, AI, etc.
• Prior experience developing and implementing playbooks and knowledge management policies
• Demonstrable EQ, able to work and partner effectively within a matrix organization, with an understanding and sensitivity of cultural and jurisdictional nuances.
• High levels of engagement and leadership. Excellent diplomacy, business judgment and communication skills, including the ability to communicate and interact effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Strong advocacy and negotiation skills. Able to engender trust, respect and confidence.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams, to take a leadership role in driving solutions, and to work under pressure to meet short deadlines.
• Able to delegate and provide work direction, coaching, performance feedback, and final review/ approval for the work of paralegals, junior attorneys, and mid-level attorneys.
• Skilled at managing large, complex legal projects and adapting to changing environments.
• Ability to function autonomously yet understanding of the need to advise management of work progress and unusual situations.
• Exemplary personal and professional integrity and business ethics.
• Exercises discretion and maintains confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Knowledge of legal holds and discovery processes.
• Commitment to diversity and a respect for others.
• Willing and able to travel as needed on Group or Legal Function business.
• Strong financial expertise and experience, including financial management, planning, and budgets within a large multinational corporation.
• Substantial strategic planning and execution expertise.
• Ability to develop, implement, and manage shared services operations utilizing internal and external resources.
• Substantial expertise related to technology for Legal departments and the ability to develop and execute technology roadmaps for the department.
• Significant legal operations expertise including strategic planning and operations leadership, project management, technology, metrics and analysis, outside provider management, financial management, and internal resource management.
• Depending of the nature of the role, more or less focus will be given to each of these.

Job: LEGAL

Organization: Corporate Legal

Schedule: FULL\_TIME

Req ID: 4437