Senior Manager, Legal Affairs Strategy & Operations

Job Description

The Senior Manager, Legal Affairs Strategy & Operations acts as strategic partner to the Company's General Counsel and the Legal Leadership Team, overseeing the implementation of department strategy and the operations that support achievement of department objectives. They manage a wide range of strategic business planning initiatives, provide operational oversight, which may include but is not limited to the strategic planning process, financial management, technology oversight, process support, vendor management, information governance and record management, portfolio management, and communications.

The Senior Manager, Legal Affairs Strategy & Operations is responsible for ensuring effective and efficient communication and knowledge sharing among department members, as well as strategic resourcing for projects, including facilitating all contract staffing resources. All department technology platforms are the ultimate responsibility of the Senior Manager, Legal Affairs Strategy & Operations, as is identification of and resourcing for new technology to assist the department maintain high levels of service to the Company. The incumbent develops the annual training curriculum for the department and identifies and coordinates the appropriate trainers.

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

Practice Group Management and Support

• Analyze and assess efficiency of Practice Groups and provide strategic suggestions for improving effectiveness
• Establish department knowledge management policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with practice group leaders to assist with resource allocation and productivity management.
• Track activities, data, and other required information to provide periodic progress reports to the General Counsel.
• Oversee assignment and completion of special practice group projects
• Supervise operational support of Commercialized Products Practice Group specifically, and other practice groups as needs are identified.

Strategic Planning /Departmental Goal Setting

• Partner with the General Counsel and the Legal Leadership Team and assist with moving departmental initiatives forward.
• Help design, manage, and drive forward the strategy for Legal Affairs department, including annual goals, objectives, key results, and other metrics.
• Assist with creating and driving forward annual strategic plan for the Legal Affairs department.
• Support the coordination and development of professional/educational programming, community service and pro bono efforts for the legal affairs team.

Budgeting, Fiscal, and Contract Management

• Manage department finances by establishing, forecasting, and monitoring the budget.
• Provide ongoing support for attorneys in their management of the legal aspects of outside counsel relationships, budgets, performance measurement and reporting, and compliance with billing guidelines.
• Maintain legal affairs department budgeting dashboards/metrics.
• Oversee budget and reporting requirements; leverage best practices across legal affairs and collaborate closely with other departments to develop and produce reporting that drives increased financial visibility and accountability.
• Supervise budgeting operations staff

Operational Workflow and Analytics Management

• Onboard and train operational and administrative staff.
• Create, analyze and provide analytics and metrics on existing processes for matter management, including allocation of matters to internal and external resources and tracking and follow-up throughout matter life cycle, and work with departmental personnel to develop process improvements that promote cost reductions and other efficiencies.
• Develop effectiveness indicators to facilitate resource allocation and other management decisions; develop and oversee Key Performance Indicators for monitoring and reporting of departmental performance.
• Maintain current organizational chart and listing of the Legal Affairs work assignments for the Contracts Group, Intranet, and department SharePoint site.
• Monitor workloads, provide or find supplementary support for staff members in need of backup.
• Support Chairs of the Boards of Directors and Corporate Secretary as requested.

Paralegal Pool Management and Operations

• Supervise paralegal operations and ensure proper allocation of pool resources
• Monitor business team requests for support to ensure optimal staffing and project assignment and efficient pool workflow.
• Oversee and ensure necessary training is provided to all members of the pool to maximize support potential and utilization by practice groups and maintain training records for paralegals.
• Analyze current pool processes/technology/systems and implement any necessary adjustments/enhancements to facilitate optimization of practice group support.
• Assist in relevant process mapping and project management for practice group resources.

Technology Management

• Analyze departmental processes and utilization of technology to determine deficiencies and implement solutions. Work closely with IT with respect to strategic planning and ongoing system administration to ensure departmental use of "best in class" and current technology for efficient and effective operations; manage relationships with internal and external providers of technology services and oversee procurement and implementation of software and hardware as appropriate.
• Vet, test, and implement new technologies

Qualifications/ Required

Knowledge/ Experience and Skills:

• At least 3 full years of legal operations experience required, with at least one year in operations management
• Demonstrated experience managing subordinates directly, and leading others with influence
• Experience with department budgeting and law firm billing required.
• Experience managing development of and launch of legal technology solutions.
• Proven ability to exercise discretion and maintain strict confidentiality in all matters.
• Demonstrated complex program management skills and a successful track record of leading or running multiple projects simultaneously. Includes measuring project results and creating dashboards / scorecards, project definition, planning / scoping the work, establishing governance and partners, organizing work meaningfully, designing appropriate solutions, implementing the solutions, managing change, effective communications, analyzing data, and monitoring for ultimate impact/effectiveness.
• Knowledge of strategy development and implementation, design of performance management system of goals, targets, and monitoring process.
• Demonstrated business competence and ability to handle multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced and rapidly evolving environment and execute implement flawlessly.
• Experience supporting leaders in navigating and leading change; adept at optimizing and scaling work processes, systems, and other initiatives.
• Proven strength in process improvement, structured problem solving and strategic business planning, with the ability to easily identify and communicate framework to analyze issues.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Type/keyboard, stand, lift/carry/pull light items (10 lbs)
• Use computer, phone, copier
• Occasion travel required

Educational Qualifications

• Associate's Degree or a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience, with certification and/or significant experience in legal operations from prior employment in a legal department or in law firm operations required

Competencies
Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.
Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.
Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.
Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.
Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Minimum $127,923.00 - Maximum $182,930.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting salary for candidates hired to perform the work. Other elements may be used to determine actual salary such as the candidate’s job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.

Company benefits: comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage, company provided Basic Life, AD&D, Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, a 401(k) match, PTO allotment each calendar year, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.

Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://www.otsuka-us.com/careers-join-otsuka.

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At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives.  They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.

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