Director of Legal Operations

Job Description

Our client, a global manufacturer serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and nutrition industries, is hiring a Manager, Legal Business Operations and Services. Join the North American Legal Team as the Manager, Legal Business Operations and Services in Morristown, NJ (hybrid), impacting central initiatives in a vibrant setting. You will manage the business processes and operations of the North American Legal Department with a focus on efficient management of resources and continuous improvement. In addition, you will support strategic initiatives of the General Counsel, North America and Global Legal, Risk, and Responsibility Department.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion and support legal technology initiatives, including Matter Management, Legal Hold software, Lonza internal Legal App, Luminance and other AI initiatives, and e-signatures.
• Manage a small team of paralegals, ensuring team development and flawless execution of duties and responsibilities.
• Oversee CDA processes and procedures and corporate governance matters for all North American entities.
• Responsible for internal budget forecasting, spend monitoring, evaluation, and management of resources.
• Coordinate outside counsel management, including engagement, legal fee budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and reporting.
• Act as a liaison to the Finance team regarding internal and external legal-related charges.
• Support and assist GC and attorneys with special projects, particularly those of a sensitive nature (e.g., M&A).
• Recommend and implement best practices, procedures, and organization of the Legal department.
• Coordinate staffing, onboarding, and new hire orientation.
• Support contract database management and supervise recording of executed contracts.
• Maintain the Legal intranet site, including templates, electronic library, resource links, etc.
  
  

Key requirements:

• Ability to prioritize responsibilities, work efficiently, manage, and execute in a timely manner.
• Excellent judgment and ability to operate in a fast-paced legal department on a broad range of matters, acting independently and collaboratively.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate with collaborators, outside counsel, business partners, and other team members.
• Outstanding people and management skills.
• Proven ability to identify issues, analyze problems, and develop effective, practical solutions.
• Proficiency in Office and Legal software, and willingness to learn new technologies, including AI tools.
• Critical and strategic thinking, long-term planning, and alignment of team efforts with organizational goa
• High level of discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive information. High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Willingness to travel and work extended hours, as needed.
  
  

Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree or equivalent experience.
• 10-15 years' experience in an in-house legal environment, with experience in financial budgeting and reporting, technology implementation and management, commercial law and corporate governance.
• Paralegal certification and experience with artificial intelligence tools are preferred.
  
  

The company’s products and services improve millions of lives each day—a responsibility it takes seriously. Success is measured not just by results, but by how they’re achieved, with a firm commitment to ethics, people, and the environment.

Attracted by the challenge of solving complex problems in life sciences, professionals find purpose in work that makes a meaningful global impact.

Salary: The posted range is not a guarantee. The actual salary will be based on qualifications, experience, and education and could fall outside of this range. Contact us for more information.