Legal Operations Manager

Job Summary

Sundt's Legal Department is growing alongside a business that is expanding into new markets, new lines of work, and larger projects. We are creating our first Legal Operations Manager role to build the systems and processes, and to harness the data, that let our lawyers focus on the legal work that matters most to our projects and people. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, this professional will build and run the business side of the Legal Department: how work comes in and gets done, how knowledge is captured and shared, how outside counsel spend is managed, and how technology supports the work. This role will build the legal operations function for Sundt's legal team. The ideal candidate will thrive on building from the ground up, earning the trust of lawyers and business partners, and creating structure that lasts.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Administer the department's construction contract-review platform (currently Document Crunch), including user adoption, playbook maintenance in partnership with counsel, usage tracking, and vendor management, and provide process support for the Origami RMIS in partnership with Risk Management.
2. Build and maintain a department knowledge base of standard positions, templates, playbooks, and institutional guidance.
3. Build and maintain dashboards and budget reporting covering matters and outside counsel expenses.
4. Coordinate with Risk & Insurance on shared systems and data to avoid duplication.
5. Define and track a focused set of department performance metrics.
6. Design and maintain the Legal Department's operating processes and procedures, including matter intake, assignment, approval authorities, and escalation paths.
7. Develop and administer outside counsel guidelines, billing controls, rate management, and law firm selection processes.
8. Engage with procurement teams within the operating groups as they develop procurement processes, to build cohesion across groups.
9. Establish and maintain a complete inventory of open legal matters across all practice groups.
10. Evaluate and recommend Al-enabled legal tools, in partnership with IT and counsel.
11. Lead assessment, selection, implementation, and adoption of legal technology, including matter management, e-billing, and document and contract management tools, in partnership with IT.
12. Manage relationships with legal technology vendors and other legal service providers.
13. Organize and maintain the Legal Department intranet (SharePoint).
14. Oversee outside counsel invoice review for compliance with billing guidelines and approved rates, coordinating substantive review and approval with the responsible in-house attorney.
15. Own the Legal Department budget process, accruals, and spend reporting in partnership with Finance.
16. Partner with the Licensing and Registration function to strengthen license tracking systems and documentation.
17. Prepare reporting and data for the General Counsel.
18. Serve as the department's primary point of contact with IT on systems, security, and data.

Minimum Job Requirements:

1. 5+ years of experience in legal operations, business operations, project controls, finance, or a related field, including at least 2 years in an in-house legal department.
2. Bachelor's degree in business, finance, information systems, or a related field.
3. Experience helping build or expand a legal operations function.
4. Experience in construction, engineering, or another project-based industry.
5. Experience managing a budget and accruals, analyzing outside counsel or vendor spend data, and producing financial/management reporting for leadership.
6. Familiarity with Al-enabled legal tools.
7. Familiarity with CLOG or similar legal operations professional frameworks.
8. Hands-on experience implementing technology or other process changes from selection through adoption.
9. JD or paralegal certification.
10. Sound judgment in handling confidential and privileged information.
11. Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to build credibility with attorneys and business leaders.
12. Strong project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple initiatives at once.

Note: Job Description is subject to change at any time and may include other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

1. May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
2. Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
3. Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
4. Will interact with people and technology frequently during a shift/workday.
5. Will lift, push or pull objects up to 50Ibs on an occasional basis.
6. Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift/workday.
7. Will use telephone, computer system, email, and other electronic devices on a frequent basis to communicate with internal and external customers or vendors.

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