Job Description
About the position
The Director, Legal Operations leads the operational strategy and infrastructure of Ellucian’s global Legal Department to ensure efficient, data-driven, and scalable legal service delivery aligned with business objectives. Reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer, this role partners closely with Legal leadership, Finance, IT, and other cross-functional teams to modernize legal operations through technology, process optimization, vendor strategy, financial management, and analytics.
This role requires strong operational judgment, change leadership, and the ability to balance near-term priorities with long-term transformation. The Director will apply technology, automation, and data to improve efficiency, enhance visibility, and free legal talent for high-value strategic work. This is a hybrid, in-person role based in Ellucian’s Reston, VA headquarters.
- Responsibilities
- Legal Operations Strategy & Leadership
- Define and execute the Legal Department’s operational strategy to support business growth, risk management, and scalability.
- Serve as a strategic partner to the CLO and Legal leadership, providing operational insight and execution support.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Legal Operations team, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
- Support execution of the Legal Department’s operational strategy and annual priorities.
- Manage day-to-day legal operations programs, timelines, and deliverables.
- Provide operational support to Legal leadership, including preparation for leadership meetings and reporting forums.
- Technology, Process & Transformation
- Own the Legal technology strategy, including system selection, implementation, optimization, governance, and ROI measurement.
- Drive continuous optimization of legal workflows (e.g., matter intake, contract lifecycle management, knowledge management).
- Partner with internal stakeholders, including IT and Engineering to leverage existing platforms and develop solutions for legal analytics, reporting, and insights.
- Lead change management for new tools, processes, and policies; maintain documentation, playbooks, and standard operating procedures.
- Manage adoption of automation, AI tools, and analytics to improve efficiency and reduce cycle times.
- Oversee effective use of AI, automation, vendors, and consultants to deliver measurable efficiency gains.
- Financial & Vendor Management
- Manage the Legal Department budget, including forecasting.
- Oversee outside counsel and alternative legal service spend to ensure efficient engagement and value.
- Manage vendor and technology ROI analysis.
- Metrics, Reporting & Analytics
- Establish and maintain KPIs, dashboards, and reporting to drive data-informed decision-making and demonstrate Legal’s value.
- Provide workload visibility, performance analysis, and resource planning insights.
- Identify operational risks and opportunities for improvement across legal service delivery.
- Support annual planning and quarterly business reporting cycles, including budgets, OKRs, and MBOs.
- Coordinate tracking of legal matters and support key Legal leadership forums and meetings.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with Finance, IT, Procurement, Compliance, and other stakeholders to align Legal operations with company priorities.
- Manage and drive major legal operations initiatives with clear ownership, timelines, and accountability.
- Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree, paralegal experience or relevant certification preferred.
- Significant experience in legal operations, legal management, or related operational leadership roles.
- Experience implementing and working with legal workflow and automation tools (e.g., Ironclad CLM, ServiceNow, Salesforce CPQ).
- Demonstrated success leading legal technology, automation, and data-driven transformation initiatives.
- Experience managing budgets, vendors, and outside counsel spend.
- Proven ability to design, implement, and scale legal processes, technology, and governance frameworks in a global environment.
- Advanced data and analytics capability to measure performance and inform strategic decision-making.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and executive-level stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to translate strategy into actionable plans and drive cross-functional execution through complexity and change.
- Experience supporting an in-house legal department strongly preferred.
- Collaborative, proactive leadership style with a focus on results, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Leadership and high attention to detail and ability to produce clear, executive-ready work product.
- Nice-to-haves
- Experience supporting an in-house legal department strongly preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree, paralegal experience or relevant certification preferred.
- Benefits
- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, and vision
- Flexible time off
- Thrive Flex Lifestyle Account (LSA) that allows you to contribute towards your health, financial or learning interests
- 401k w/ match & BrightPlan - to help you save for the future
- Parental Leave
- 5 charitable days to support the community that supports us
- Telemedicine
- Wellness
- Headspace Care (mental health)
- Wellbeats (virtual fitness classes)
- RethinkCare & Wellthy– caregiver supporq
- Diversity and inclusion programs which provide access to internal employee resource groups
- Employee referral bonuses to encourage the addition of great new people to the team
- Education Assistance Program
- Professional development opportunities
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