LEGAL OPERATTIONS SPECIALIST

East Penn Manufacturing - Lyons, PA

Full-time

Lyons, PA

Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods

About the position

The Legal Operations Specialist plays a crucial role in enhancing the operational success of the Legal Department. This position is focused on creating and implementing strategic processes and practices that aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of day-to-day operations. The specialist will be responsible for driving key initiatives within the Legal Department that are designed to increase operational efficiencies. This includes the implementation of policies, processes, and technologies that enhance the overall value of the Legal Department. In this role, the Legal Operations Specialist will collaborate closely with members of the Legal Department and various business partners to identify opportunities for process improvement. They will be tasked with identifying relevant data from both the Legal Department and third-party systems that can be leveraged to drive continuous improvement and measure success against the strategic initiatives of the Legal Department. The specialist will prepare comprehensive reports, models, and analyses of data to support the Legal Department and its business partners. Additionally, the specialist will support the development and ongoing improvement of a contract management process, ensuring that it aligns with the needs of stakeholders. They will facilitate and manage the processes involved in sourcing, negotiating, selecting, and overseeing the performance of law firms and external service providers, which includes managing budgets and onboarding new vendors. The role also involves working closely with business partners on various projects and initiatives, providing recommendations on best practices and legal support opportunities. The Legal Operations Specialist will perform and manage special projects and tasks as assigned by the Vice President of Legal. Under the guidance of the Vice President, they will oversee the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures, including training programs. Furthermore, the specialist will provide day-to-day legal support for compliance, insurance, real estate, and M&A matters, and will act as a back-up for paralegal support, assisting with the tracking and maintenance of records related to litigation and commercial contracts, as well as drafting and reviewing NDAs and customer ESG surveys as needed.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with members of the Legal Department and business partners to continuously seek out and lead process improvement initiatives.
• Identify data within the Legal Department and third-party systems that can be used to drive continuous improvement and to measure success against Legal Department strategic initiatives.
• Prepare reports, models, and analyses of data for the Legal Department and business partners.
• Support the development and continued improvement of a contract management process with a focus on stakeholders' needs.
• Facilitate and manage the process for sourcing, negotiating, selection and performance of law firms and external service providers, leading to onboarding of law firms and vendors and close management of budgets.
• Work closely with business partners on additional projects/initiatives and make recommendations on best practices and legal support opportunities.
• Perform and manage special projects, tasks, and responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President, Legal.
• With guidance from the Vice President, Legal, oversee the development and implementation of department policies and procedures including training programs.
• Provide the day-to-day legal support for compliance, insurance, real estate, and M&A matters.
• Act as back-up Paralegal Support: assist with tracking and maintaining records related to litigation and commercial contracts; drafting and review of NDAs and customer ESG surveys, as needed.

Requirements

• 2-4 years of significant and substantive experience in an in-house legal department is required, but law firm or corporate operations experience may be considered.
• Significant experience in process efficiency and project management.
• Experience in workflow automation tools such as eBilling and contract management systems.
• High-school degree required; associate or bachelor's degree preferred; a combination of equivalent level of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with senior executives and demonstrated track record of influencing senior level stakeholders.
• Maintains a high level of integrity; respects the confidentiality of information that the position is exposed to.
• Highly motivated and comfortable taking initiative; can effectively cope with ambiguity; shows flexibility as workloads fluctuate.