Legal Operations Manager

Job Description Summary

The Legal Department Operations Manager supports the day-to-day operational execution of the Legal Department’s strategies, processes, and systems. Reporting to the Head of Legal Operations, this role serves as an operational partner to the department by helping manage legal technology, financial operations, third-party supplier and outside counsel relationships, and process improvement initiatives.
This role focuses on tactical implementation and continuous improvement to enable attorneys to focus on substantive legal work while ensuring the Legal Department operates efficiently, cost-effectively, and in alignment with enterprise standards. The Legal Operations Manager collaborates with senior leaders and cross-functional partners, supports the development and improvement of legal operational processes and controls, identifies risks and opportunities for enhancement, and provides training to the Legal teams as needed.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Support and optimize legal technology platforms (e.g., e-billing, matter management, document management systems, and contract lifecycle management (CLM)), to drive efficiency, collaboration and departmental alignment.
• Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for Legal Operations tools, supporting configuration, adoption, and optimization.
• Support system and process adoption through training, documentation, and ongoing user support.
• Support and optimize outside counsel billing and vendor invoicing processes, ensuring compliance with billing guidelines, policies, and controls.
• Act as a liaison between Legal, Finance, and external suppliers on financial matters related to legal spend.
• Assist in efforts to improve current processes, identify new processes, technology system enhancements and shared best practices that improve overall Legal operational effectiveness.
• Execute operational initiatives aligned with Legal Operations strategy and departmental priorities.
• Support department planning by tracking and reporting on key department metrics, business analysis and industry benchmarking.
• Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to Legal Operations leadership and Legal department stakeholders.
• Ensure data accuracy and integrity across Legal systems and reports.
• Manage supplier onboarding, performance monitoring, and coordination with Procurement and Accounts Payable.
• Collaborate closely with Legal, Finance, HR, IT, and business partners to support effective operations and alignment with enterprise processes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of legal operations functions, including legal technology, spend management, knowledge management, and process improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving skills and project management skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with legal team members, business partners, and suppliers.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity when handling confidential,  sensitive, and privileged information.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel, including pivot tables, vlookup, and conditional formatting.
• Knowledge of reporting and analytical tools, including Qlik, Power BI, and Smartsheet a plus.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a legal operations, legal department administration, law firm operations, or a related legal or operational role.
• experience working with legal technology platforms (e-billing, matter management (Passport), document management (iManage), contract lifecycle management) and managing legal spend strongly preferred.

Education

Bachelor’s: Business Administration

Work Experience

General Experience - 6 to 10 years

Certifications

Travel

Workstyle

Hybrid

At Raymond James our associates use five guiding behaviors (Develop, Collaborate, Decide, Deliver, Improve) to deliver on the firm's core values of client-first, integrity, independence and a conservative, long-term view. 

We expect our associates at all levels to:
•  Grow professionally and inspire others to do the same
•  Work with and through others to achieve desired outcomes
•  Make prompt, pragmatic choices and act with the client in mind
•  Take ownership and hold themselves and others accountable for delivering results that matter
•  Contribute to the continuous evolution of the firm

At Raymond James – as part of our people-first culture, we honor, value, and respect the uniqueness, experiences, and backgrounds of all of our Associates.  When associates bring their best authentic selves, our organization, clients, and communities thrive. The Company is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of merit and business needs.