Legal Operations Director - State Prog Admin Manager Sr

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays each year

Pension plan

Employer paid life insurance

Short-term and long-term disability

Tax-free expense accounts

Job summary

The State of Minnesota seeks a Legal Operations Director within the DCYF General Counsel division in Saint Paul. This senior role leads strategic legal infrastructure, drives process improvements, and ensures compliance across the agency’s legal activities.

Telework is eligible up to 50% with a day shift schedule. Focused on building scalable systems, governance, and staff leadership, the director will shape the GCO’s service delivery and alignment with DCYF’s mission to serve Minnesota’s

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of experience in legal operations, public sector law, public sector administration, non-profit administration, or compliance.

Responsibilities

• Actively develop effective relationships with staff, leadership, partners, and legal stakeholders.
• Develop and manage interim and future strategic legal systems, initiatives, and projects.
• Evaluate GCO performance through development of metrics and assessment methods.
• Direct and oversee GCO non-attorney functions and staff.
• Maintain current knowledge of statutes, regulations, and policies governing DCYF GCO work.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Project management

Communication

Tools

Microsoft 365 Stack

Job description

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager Senior

Working Title: Legal Operations Director

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager Senior

Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept

• Job ID: 98204
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes*, up to 50%
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 11/05/2026
• Closing Date: 11/25/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: DCYF / DeptChildYth&Fam-Managerial
• Division/Unit: DCYF / General Counsel
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $44.80 - $64.46 / hourly; $93,542 - $134,592 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrep
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Administrative
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCYF does not participate in E-Verify.

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

• Telework (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available.

The Legal Operations Director is a position of service – service to the General Counsel Team, service to Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) staff, and service to the communities that DCYF serves.

To that end, the Legal Operations Director will provide strategic leadership and direction to support and grow the infrastructure of the DCYF General Counsel’s Office (GCO). The DCYF GCO is a rapidly growing team that is developing a unique style of providing legal services throughout the agency to better meet DCYF’s mission of serving children, youth, and families throughout Minnesota. To support that service, DCYF GCO needs a visionary, roll-up-their sleeves leader to 1) support a service-oriented team that is evolving to meet the needs of the GCO, 2) stabilize the current GCO infrastructure, 3) develop and implement interim processes and systems to support the GCO, and 4) identify and build future-state processes, systems, and engagement strategies.

The Director will play a key role in supporting DCYF’s General Counsel Team with systems, tools, knowledge, and skills necessary to meet the agency’s legal needs and obligations and support the agency in achieving service goals for the people of Minnesota. The position requires impeccable character, person-oriented approach to service, independent decision-making, program oversight, and a high level of responsibility for managing sensitive, high-impact initiatives across divisions and external organizations.

Responsibilities include:

• Actively develop effective relationships with staff, leadership, partners, and legal stakeholders.
• Develop and manage both interim and future strategic legal systems, initiatives, and projects, the goal of which is to improve agency practices and systems that ensure compliance with agency legal obligations and tracking. Connect and systematize efforts to support effective use of these initiatives.
• Evaluate GCO performance through development of metrics and assessment methods to identify functional efficiency, key areas for improvement efforts, and proactively identify areas of potential deficiencies.
• Direct and oversee GCO non-attorney functions and staff.
• Maintain current knowledge of statutes, regulations, and policies governing DCYF GCO work. Oversee DCYF’s interactions with the appellate courts, district courts, the Court of Administrative Hearings, and the DHS Appeals Division and related systems access.

Minimum Qualifications

• Five (5) years of experience in legal operations, public sector law, public sector administration, non-profit administration, or compliance.

Experience must demonstrate the following:

• Expertise in identifying gaps and developing solutions to meet an organization’s needs.
• Expertise in managing litigation documentation, developing technology, and using tools from the Microsoft 365 Stack such as SharePoint, Forms, Teams, or similar programs to support effective administrative functions.
• Experience in assessing complex legal issues, developing solutions, and exercising sound judgment to align strategies with agency objectives.
• Experience understanding and acknowledging the unique contributions of others and ensuring stakeholders and colleagues have opportunities to provide input.
• Ability to create and communicate a strategic vision for the organization and a roadmap to achieve the vision.
• Experience identifying project challenges and modifying or adjusting course to meet objectives.

AND

• Demonstrated leadership* experience

• Leadership experience can include:
• Experience as a supervisor, leadworker, team lead, project lead:
• Completion of a State of Minnesota leadership program (e.g. ELI, L4);
• A paid/unpaid position leading a program or chairing a committee (e.g. ERG) - experience must include:
• 1+ year of experience identifying issues, goals and strategic actions
• 100+ hours per year time commitment

Applicants who meet the above experience requirements will be further evaluated based on the following during the interview process:

• Ability to effectively articulate complex technology solutions to non-technical people.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in writing.
• Ability to demonstrate service-oriented approach to achieving the objectives for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Juris Doctor (JD) or master’s degree in law, public administration, or a related field.
• A paralegal degree or certification.
• Experience working with state agencies, legislative processes, or public sector legal compliance.
• Experience in collaborating with government officials, courts, executive leadership, and community organizations to facilitate legal processes.
• Expertise in human services law, administrative hearings, civil rights enforcement, or regulatory compliance.
• Advanced proficiency for use and development of legal software, case management tools, and data privacy systems such as Granicus GovQA, Everlaw, FileNet, and the Microsoft 365 Stack including Teams and SharePoint.
• Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

It is the policy of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families that the individual selected for this position successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, that may include the following components:

• Reference check
• Criminal Background check
• Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)
• Driver’s License Check
• Personnel File Review: all current and former public sector employees
• Additional assessment may be required during the interview process

About Children Youth & Families Dept

Our state depends on the success of Minnesota children, youth and families. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families puts children at the center of state government, creating a permanent state agency and commissioner focused on elevating children and families in policy and budget decisions.

This realigns state government to advance equitable outcomes for children, youth, and families through transformative, partnership-driven policies, programs and practices.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies

based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] and let us know the support you need.