Legal Operations Manager

Overview

This contract engagement is seeking an experienced Legal Operations Manager to support an in-house legal department for a nationally recognized nonprofit higher education organization. Work is fully remote (work-from-home) and the schedule is part-time to full-time depending upon workload.

The engagement is approximately six months, with a potential for extension based upon mutual agreement.

The selected legal professional will own the operational backbone of the department, including contract lifecycle management and intake, legal technology and systems, reporting and metrics, vendor and outside counsel management, and day-to-day process improvements. This is a hands-on role that involves both designing processes and running them.

Responsibilities

• Own contract lifecycle management and intake, including:
  • intake and triage
  • routing
  • templates and playbooks
  • approvals and signature workflow
  • post-signature obligations and repository management
• Manage and improve legal technology and systems (e.g., CLM platforms, e-signature tools, matter management, CRM/workflow systems)
• Build and maintain legal department processes, including:
  • workflow design
  • playbooks
  • SOPs
  • self-service resources for business stakeholders
• Develop and deliver legal reporting and metrics, including:
  • dashboards
  • cycle-time and volume tracking
  • budget tracking
• Lead outside counsel and vendor management tasks, including:
  • engagement letters
  • billing guidelines
  • invoice review
  • spend tracking
• Manage shifting priorities, multiple projects, and deadlines independently with minimal supervision
• Provide strong communication and collaboration with attorneys, business partners, and external providers

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in legal operations, contract management, or a senior in-house paralegal or legal department management role
• Hands-on experience with contract lifecycle management, including intake, triage, routing, templates and playbooks, approvals and signature workflow, and post-signature obligations and repository management
• Proficiency with legal technology and business systems, such as CLM platforms (e.g., Ironclad, Agiloft, ContractWorks), e-signature tools, matter management, and CRM or workflow systems such as Salesforce
• Experience building and documenting legal department processes, including workflow design, playbooks, SOPs, and self-service resources for business stakeholders
• Experience with legal department reporting and metrics, including dashboards, cycle-time and volume tracking, and budget tracking
• Outside counsel and vendor management experience, including engagement letters, billing guidelines, invoice review, and spend tracking
• Ability to manage shifting priorities, multiple projects, and deadlines independently and with minimal supervision
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with attorneys, business partners, and external providers
• Excellent analytical, written, verbal, and interpersonal skills
• Outstanding professional references

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior in-house legal department experience strongly preferred; nonprofit, education, or technology platform experience a plus
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Paralegal certification or legal operations credentials (e.g., CLOC) a plus

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay: Annualized pay range is $80,000 to $100,000 when calculated on a full-time basis.
  • Pay for contract engagements is based on multiple factors including (but not limited to) work experience, qualifications, credentials, location, market supply/demand, and the candidate’s preference (each candidate’s pay rate affects the client bill rate which can affect competitiveness for the position).
• Professional liability insurance: Complimentary professional liability insurance coverage is provided for all contract engagement professionals.
• Benefits eligibility: All employees (including those on contract engagements) are eligible for full benefits when working 20+ hours per week, including group medical, dental, and vision insurance, and complimentary group life, LTD and AD&D insurance.
• 401(k): A qualified 401k plan is also available.
• Additional benefits for eligible attorneys: Benefits-eligible attorneys receive a CLE and Professional Expense stipend.

Location

• Fully remote / WFH

Engagement Details

• Type of role: Contract, In-House, Engagement
• Schedule: Part-time to full-time, depending upon workload
• Anticipated start date: ASAP
• Anticipated duration: ~6 months, with potential extension by mutual agreement

Confidentiality

• The employer will not propose candidates to prospective clients without prior consent. Candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.