Senior Director Legal Operations (Hybrid)

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

The Senior Director of Legal Operations is a results-driven individual who is responsible for bringing departmental efficiency and effectiveness to a best-in-class level.The role reports to the Chief Legal Officer, is a member of the Legal Leadership Team, and works with legal and business stakeholders at all levels of the company.  The Sr. Director of Legal Operations provides leadership in the coordination of activities related to finance and budget management, legal technology, legal resource management, departmental processes, change management, and general operations of the department.  The individual builds and maintains key relationships with business partners, IT, finance and other internal and external stakeholders at all levels, which requires a diplomatic presence, the ability to navigate sensitive discussions and influence decisions for the best outcome. The ideal candidate is customer service-focused, detail-oriented, and has a proactive approach to recognizing needs, solving problems, and anticipating issues while delivering strategically innovative solutions with a continuous improvement mindset. This person will be required to innovate and build upon current processes, working closely with the legal professionals in the legal department.The primary functions for which this person is responsible are Finance and Budget Management, Strategic Planning and Execution, Legal Information Technology, Outside Counsel and Legal Vendor Management, Project Support, and Administration. They have full management responsibility for the Legal Operations function.What you will do:

• Lead the department budgeting and expense management processes and drive partnership with Finance.
• Assist Chief Legal Officer and Legal Leadership team with day-to-day department operations, reporting, financial management, reporting, communications.
• Design, implement, and manage program to oversee external law firms and legal vendors, including oversight of e-billing systems, billing guidelines, protocols for price negotiations and alternative fee arrangements, and RFP processes.
• Lead continuous improvement projects in the delivery of legal services in order to meet the needs of the department and the organization, including cost savings opportunities.
• Lead department efforts to adopt, deploy, and utilize new and existing technology tools that increase the department’s efficiency and effectiveness, applying change management principles as needed.
• Lead team that provides project oversight for complex cross-team or cross-departmental initiatives.
• Influence, design, and promote departmental policies and procedures, programs, training, town halls, key performance indicators.
• Collaborate with HR to enhance talent development, performance management, talent reviews and year-end compensation planning.  
• Create and drive relationships with key company functions, such as IT, Finance, General Services.
• Demonstrate thought leadership and global collaboration related to best practices, IT projects, regulatory requests, and other cross-border department needs.
• Enhance and maintain an environment that encourages teamwork and individual efforts and ethical behavior.
• Manage legal operations professionals or others as needed. All other duties as assigned.

What you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Information Technology or similar field preferred. MBA a plus.  Equivalent combination of education and professional experience may be considered.
• 7+ years’ experience in legal department or other operational setting
• Highly proficient in finance, budgeting and expense management
• Proven track record of making an impact, developing and executing on strategies and delivering superior results in both the short and long term
• Experience with law department operations and technologies, e.g. matter management, e-billing, discovery management, contract management
• Excellent interpersonal skills; comfortable dealing with all levels of our organization, including executive leadership
• Proactive approach to recognizing needs, solving problems, anticipating issues while delivering innovative solutions with a continuo