Legal Operations Manager

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work arrangement

Competitive salary plus bonuses

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative virtual team culture

Access to latest legal technology andツ

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Legal Operations Manager to streamline the in-house legal function. This remote-first role focuses on budgeting, vendor management, and technology implementation to scale operations globally.

The successful candidate will drive process improvements, knowledge management, and performance reporting while collaborating with legal professionals and external partners. A strong background in legal workflows and project management is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Law; advanced degree or CLM is a plus.
• 6+ years of experience in legal operations or related role within a legal department.
• Experience with budget management, vendor relationships, and legal technology implementation.
• Strong understanding of legal workflows and processes.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in various legal technology platforms.
• Excellent communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Self-starter with remote-work experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the legal department's budget, forecasting, and reporting.
• Oversee relationships with external law firms and legal service providers.
• Implement and manage legal tech solutions (contract management, e-discovery, matter management).
• Drive process improvements and automation to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
• Establish and maintain knowledge management systems for templates and precedents.
• Manage department metrics and reporting for performance insights.
• Coordinate training and professional development for legal staff.
• Assist onboarding of new legal team members and ensure smooth integration.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies for legal operations.

Skills

Budget management

Vendor management

Legal technology implementation

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication

Remote work adaptability

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Law

Master's degree or CLM certification

Tools

Contract management systems

e-discovery platforms

Matter management tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding technology firm that operates on a remote-first basis, is seeking a highly organized and experienced Legal Operations Manager. This pivotal role will be instrumental in optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of the in-house legal department. The Legal Operations Manager will be responsible for managing budgets, vendor relationships, technology solutions, process improvements, and knowledge management. This position requires a unique blend of business acumen, project management skills, and a deep understanding of legal workflows and technology. The successful candidate will play a key role in streamlining operations, enhancing productivity, and ensuring the legal department can scale effectively to meet the demands of a growing global business. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the operational framework of a legal function in a modern, digitally-driven organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the legal department's budget, including tracking expenses, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Oversee and manage relationships with external law firms and legal service providers, including rate negotiations and performance monitoring.
• Implement and manage legal technology solutions, such as contract management systems, e-discovery platforms, and matter management tools.
• Drive process improvements and automation initiatives within the legal department to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
• Establish and maintain knowledge management systems, ensuring easy access to legal documents, templates, and precedents.
• Manage legal department metrics and reporting, providing insights into department performance and key operational areas.
• Coordinate legal training programs and professional development initiatives for legal staff.
• Assist with onboarding new legal team members and ensuring seamless integration into the department's operations.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and procedures related to legal operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Law, or a related field. A Master's degree or relevant certification (e.g., CLM) is a plus.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in legal operations, law firm administration, or a related role within a legal department.
• Proven experience in budget management, vendor management, and legal technology implementation.
• Strong understanding of legal workflows, processes, and best practices.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in various legal technology platforms.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with legal professionals and external stakeholders.
• A proactive, self-starter attitude with the ability to thrive in a remote work environment.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and efficiency.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering maximum flexibility and work-life integration.
• Opportunity to significantly influence the operational efficiency of a growing legal department.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Professional development opportunities and support for continuous learning.
• A collaborative and supportive virtual team culture.
• Access to the latest legal technology and tools.