Senior Manager, eDiscovery Innovation & Operations

Senior Manager, eDiscovery Innovation & Operations

Location: Wilmington, DE

Introduction to role

AstraZeneca (AZ) is delivering on a bold ambition: to improve the lives of 200 million patients and launch 20 new medicines globally by 2030. To help achieve this vision, Global Business Services (GBS) is supporting key functions with innovative leadership and operational excellence at every level.

The Sr. Manager, eDiscovery Innovation & Operations plays a crucial role in driving our approach to litigation support and information governance. This leader will bring a continuous innovation, ensuring AstraZeneca’s eDiscovery services are optimized, defensible, and technologically advanced. The Sr. Manager will proactively stay current on evolving law, compliance standards, and technological advances. They will manage document review projects and implement cost-effective and efficient workflows across the legal discovery lifecycle.

Working at the intersection of law, technology, and operations, the Sr. Manager will advise on the legal risks and implications of emerging technologies adopted by the business, as well as collaborating across Legal, Compliance, and HR to develop and refine tech-forward strategies for collecting, reviewing, and producing information. The role requires a strategic problem solver able to communicate effectively with lawyers, paralegals, business partners, and vendors, shaping the way AstraZeneca’s legal services team and clients collaborate and share knowledge.

The Sr. Manager will also have a hand in managing eDiscovery projects (including data collections, budgets and resource allocation) while identifying and implementing innovative ways to reduce cost without sacrificing speed or defensibility. This role drives continuous improvement, leading training on legal discovery and legal hold, updating guidance documentation, and managing high-performing internal and external teams around the globe. Serving as both a business ambassador and influential thought partner, this person ensures that AstraZeneca’s legal technology services set the benchmark for the industry.

Major Responsibilities

• Instill a culture of constant innovation, evaluating and implementing advancements in legal discovery and technology strategy for outstanding process efficiency, defensibility, and cost control.
• Oversee end-to-end project management for all eDiscovery services, setting standards for excellence in document review, technology use, and workflow design.
• Lead systematic and tech-forward approaches to document review, cost management, and process optimization, introducing creative solutions to improve efficiency across matter portfolios.
• Advise Legal and the business on legal, regulatory, and strategic considerations related to the introduction and use of new technologies.
• Stay current on legal developments, trends in litigation support, and emerging technologies, transforming insights into actionable improvements for the team and collaborators.
• Maintain and manage strong relationships with eDiscovery vendors, resource providers, and legal technology partners. Serve as the principal point of contact and lead contract negotiations where necessary.
• Lead best-in-class training for internal and external teams on legal discovery, technology, and legal hold practices, fostering a knowledge-sharing and learning environment.
• Develop, deliver, and update guidance, documentation, and knowledge management resources for Legal Services and relevant business partners.
• Proactively communicate clearly and effectively with internal and external lawyers, paralegals, business leaders, vendors, and global partners to align strategies and share standard approaches.
• Lead and manage teams, including direct and indirect reports, ensuring optimal resource assignment while promoting a collaborative, growth-focused, and inclusive working culture.
• Manage project budgets, monitor resource use, and continually find opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining, or enhancing, quality and speed of service delivery.
• Champion AstraZeneca’s core values and principles during customer engagement, supporting a bold, entrepreneurial, and high-performing working environment.
• Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, HR, IT, and GBS capability leads to align shared processes and continuously expand and enhance department offerings.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 5 years’ experience in eDiscovery operations and legal support
• Strong innovation mentality and dedication to continuous process improvement
• Deep knowledge of litigation support and key industry standards
• Advanced technical skill with legal technologies, platforms, and digital workflows