Senior Manager, Legal Operations

Otsuka is looking for a Legal Operations Senior Manager whose primary area of focus will be records retention, litigation support and eDiscovery (70%). The secondary focus of this role is as an imaginative generalist operations leader, can identify areas for improvement and implementing impactful solutions (30%).

Reporting directly to Senior Director, Chief of Staff, you will help build and enhance the Department's operational culture, strategy, and performance. The Senior Manager, Legal Operations leverages industry experience with records retention, litigation support and eDiscovery to provide on-going strategic planning and technical support. They are responsible for steering, leading and implementing various projects and initiatives aiming at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Legal Affairs department. You will manages various existing processes and acts as a liaison with cross-functional teams, ensuring that the Legal Affairs department aligns with the broader organizational goals. We are looking for excellent communication, management, and interpersonal skills. The Legal Operations Senior Manager works independently as well as with teams and will lead and support change at all levels, including with vendors, executives, in-house attorneys, support staff and other key stakeholders within the Company.

This role can be in Otsuka's Rockville, MD. or Princeton, N.J. offices. No matter where the role is located, up to 20% travel within the US is required based upon business needs.

Specific Role Responsibilities:

Litigation Support, eDiscovery & Records Retention

• Serve as subject matter expert in records retention cycle projects with a focus on corporate risk, corporate obligations, legal hold, and data preservation
• Develop and maintain defensible processes and ensure adequate training for litigation support and e-discovery processes, including legal hold, data preservation, collection, review, and production
• Manage existing, and implement new, e-discovery tools and technologies to enhance efficiency.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with e-discovery requirements
• Develop and maintain KPIs and metrics to support case and workload reporting

Project & Change Management:

• Lead department efforts for projects, collaborating with IT and Sourcing as well as external vendors and consultants. Ensure legal requirements are clear and timelines are met
• Serve as the legal operations subject matter expert for muti-disciplinary projects- including identify requirements, ROI, document review, testing, implementations, training, and documentation/guides
• With the legal Chief of Staff, define and drive strategic and operational initiatives with on-time and on-budget results
• Champion the adoption and optimization of legal technology and improve existing implementations to streamline operations
• Cultivate strong cross-functional relationships and lead collaborative teams
• Create useful resources and trainings related to Department systems and processes
• Develop and implement efficient legal workflows and processes. Identify areas for improvement within the legal department and provide solutions

Metrics KPIs and Data Analysis

• Develop, implement, and maintain key operational and substantive metrics for practice groups that will better inform decision-making, including matter and work product analyses.
• Enhance data analytics and reporting capabilities to improve decision-making for the legal team.
• Develop and maintain information dashboards for the General Counsel and leadership team

General

• Educate, encourage innovation, and influence change.
• Organize and create standard operating procedures. Coordinate the drafting of internal guides, resources, and form documents
• Provide creative thinking to develop cost efficiencies while maintaining excellent service.
• Participate in industry organizations to identify benchmark approaches and new strategies and models for the delivery of legal services
• Support the Chief of Staff and General Counsel with other duties, as assigned

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years' experience in legal operations within a corporate legal department or law firm
• Previous involvement in corporate records retention processes and schedules
• Ability to work effectively with business partners supporting litigation matters, including witnesses and document custodians
• Innovative approach to litigation and investigation processes, striving for best in class
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Demonstrate exceptional follow-through and a strong sense of ownership
• Approach challenges proactively, anti