Director, Legal Operations

Location: 3-days Hybrid (Local to NYC, Denver, or Charlotte)

Position Description:

The Director of Legal Operations reports to the General Counsel and operates under the direction of Legal Department leadership. The Director is responsible for the operational effectiveness, scalability and continuous improvement of the Legal Department. This individual will serve as a strategic partner to the General Counsel and legal leadership team, driving efficiency, scalability, data-driven decision making, and the adoption of artificial intelligence and automation tools across legal and compliance functions.

This individual will serve as the operational leader of the Legal Department, overseeing legal technology, matter management, contract lifecycle management, reporting, knowledge management and workflow optimization. The Director will establish consistent operating procedures, improve resource allocation, and create scalable processes that enable attorneys and legal professionals to focus on high-value strategic and legal work.

The ideal candidate combines strong legal operations experience and project management capabilities with technical proficiency, sound business judgment, and a demonstrated track record of leveraging AI, workflow automation, and technology solutions to improve productivity, reduce risk, enhance service delivery, and support rapid organizational growth.

Position Responsibilities:

• Legal Operations Leadership

  • Partner with Legal leadership to develop and execute the legal operations strategy aligned with company objectives.
  • Design and continuously improve workflows across contracting, compliance, corporate governance, litigation management, employment matters, regulatory affairs, and legal intake processes.
  • Establish operational metrics, KPIs, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms to measure legal department performance.
  • Manage legal department budgets, vendors, outside counsel relationships, and technology investments.

  Department Management and Core Legal Operations

  • Lead annual and multi-year departmental planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and headcount planning in partnership with the General Counsel.
  • Administer matter management, including intake, assignment, prioritization, status tracking, risk classification, and reporting across the legal portfolio.
  • Manage outside counsel and other legal service providers, including selection, engagement terms, billing guidelines, rate negotiations, invoice review, performance evaluation, and diversity expectations.
  • Oversee e-billing, accruals, spend analytics, cost controls, alternative fee arrangements, and periodic financial reporting for the Legal Department.
  • Coordinate litigation support operations, including legal holds, e-discovery processes, document preservation, and collaboration with internal stakeholders and external providers.
  • Maintain departmental policies, operating procedures, approval authorities, records, calendars, and other administrative controls necessary for consistent and auditable legal operations.
  • Assess workload and service demand, recommend sourcing and staffing models, and support hiring, onboarding, professional development, and performance management for legal operations personnel.
  • Develop and maintain business continuity, access, confidentiality, and operational risk controls for Legal Department processes and systems.

  AI and Innovation

  • Identify, implement, and oversee AI-enabled solutions that improve legal team efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Lead initiatives involving generative AI, contract intelligence, workflow automation, legal research tools, document automation, and knowledge management systems.
  • Establish governance and best practices for the responsible use of AI within the legal and compliance functions.
  • Evaluate emerging legal technology and AI platforms, develop business cases, and oversee deployment and adoption.
  • Train legal professionals and business stakeholders on AI tools and productivity-enhancing technologies.

  Process Improvement and Workflow Automation

  • Analyze existing legal processes and identify opportunities for simplification, automation, and standardization.
  • Design automated workflows utilizing legal technology, enterprise applications, and AI-powered solutions.
  • Create scalable intake, triage, approval, and contract management processes.
  • Eliminate operational bottlenecks and improve turnaround times through process reengineering and technology deployment.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives using data and stakeholder feedback.

  Knowledge Management

  • Develop and maintain a centralized legal knowledge repository.
  • Create standardized templates, playbooks, self-service tools, and AI-enhanced resources for business users.
  • Improve accessibility of legal guidance while reducing routine legal support demands.

Qualifications:

• Required

  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • 8+ years of legal operations, legal technology, compliance operations, consulting, or related experience.
  • Demonstrated experience implementing AI solutions, automation technologies, or digital transformation initiatives within legal or highly regulated environments.
  • Strong project management and process improvement expertise.
  • Experience managing legal technology platforms and vendors.
  • Exceptional analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

  Preferred

  • Juris Doctor (JD) or advanced business degree.
  • Legal Operations certifications (CLOC, Six Sigma, PMP, or equivalent).
  • Experience in healthcare, pharmacy benefits management, health technology, or other regulated industries.
  • Hands-on experience with generative AI platforms, contract intelligence tools, and workflow automation technologies.

  Key Competencies

  • AI Strategy and Adoption
  • Process Design and Optimization
  • Legal Technology Management
  • Change Management
  • Data Analytics and Metrics
  • Project and Program Management
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Vendor and Financial Management
  • Executive Communication
  • Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Develop a culture of innovation, automation, and continuous improvement within the legal department.