Legal Operations Lead

Primary Duties

The Legal Operations Lead position is responsible for effectuating various operational, technical, and contract management functions   of the Legal Department as directed by the Chief of Staff, Legal & Corporate Compliance and Head of Legal Operations. In that role, the Lead manages several department processes such as the core contract management function; develops and executes on technology initiatives and knowledge management and training tools; and manages internal resources, external counsel billing, and corporate filings. The position is also responsible for advising and collaborating with business owners of agreements and other partners across a wide variety of functions.

The Legal Operations Lead will:

• Lead professional staff of contract specialists in support of the operational function and strategy of the Legal Department and in line with business goals and objectives, ensuring that contractual work is prioritized and conducted in an efficient way consistent with Spark’s business  goals and objectives, Code of Conduct and Business Ethics, and Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Provide expert and timely support and guidance for the development, negotiation, execution, and maintenance of agreements related to areas relevant to a biotechnology company including research, development, commercialization, technical operations, and enabling functions conducted by or on behalf of Spark. This responsibility includes identification and implementation of contract management system processes and policies; reviewing, interpreting, negotiating, and drafting agreements for various transactions; and advising stakeholders on risk issues as appropriate.
• Oversee outside counsel management and serve as the subject matter expert and system administrator for Legal department billing software, policies, and procedures.
• Impact department operations and efficiency, as well as how the Legal Department interacts with vendors and other stakeholders across the organization and work collaboratively with all departments across Spark and the Roche Group (parent organization) legal operations community to meet business goals and objectives. Ability to prepare playbooks, policies and procedural documents to assist with operational efficiencies.
• ​​​​​​Develop and implement trainings, guidance documents, and knowledge management and self-service tools for the Legal Department and other internal teams, including the Legal Department company intranet page and department Teams site.
• Develop and maintain expertise on emerging legal technology and other tools that would enhance the productivity of the Legal Department, and contribute to the selection, rollout, upgrade, and enhancement of Legal Department technologies.
• Manage certain corporate filings, including those required for state licenses and corporate subsidiaries.
• Manage Legal Department secondary resources and subscriptions.
• Prepare and manage new hire onboarding processes for the Legal Department.
• Represent the Legal Department on various committees and teams that are convened by stakeholders as may be requested by those functions or the Chief of Staff, Legal & Corporate Compliance and Head of Legal Operations.

Responsibilities

Drive contract process improvement initiatives to streamline for efficiencies. Lead the development, updating, and maintenance of contract templates and playbooks. Identify the need for, develop, and deliver trainings on contracting requirements and processes across the organization. Acts as the administrator for contract management system. Provide guidance and support for all aspects of the contract lifecycle including drafting, negotiation, review, and interpretation as appropriate. Lead professional staff of Contract Specialists in line with business goal and objectives.

Oversee outside counsel management and serve as the system administrator for Legal department billing. Develop and manage knowledge management and training tools. Lead/contribute to department technology initiatives. Oversee state licenses and corporate subsidiary filings.  Manage Legal Department secondary resources and department new hire onboarding. Additional Legal Department and cross-functional projects as the need arises.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 5+ years of law firm or in-house legal department training, with a strong understanding of legal department operations and technology.
• Extensive transactional experience, including drafting and negotiating a wide variety of agreements and developing and managing contract templates and playbooks.
• Experience in implementing and using legal department technology     solutions (e-billing and matter management software, contract lifecycle management software, etc.)
• Proven track record of collaborating with cross-functional groups (e.g., Procurement, IT) to set objectives and produce meaningful results.
• Experience in academic, pharmaceutical, or biotech industry preferred. 
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Juris Doctor (JD) and/or experience in effectively managing people and leading teams is a plus.
• Experience with state licenses is a plus.