About the position
The Director, Legal Operations leads the operational strategy and infrastructure of Ellucian’s global Legal Department to ensure efficient, data-driven, and scalable legal service delivery aligned with business objectives. Reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer, this role partners closely with Legal leadership, Finance, IT, and other cross-functional teams to modernize legal operations through technology, process optimization, vendor strategy, financial management, and analytics.
This role requires strong operational judgment, change leadership, and the ability to balance near-term priorities with long-term transformation. The Director will apply technology, automation, and data to improve efficiency, enhance visibility, and free legal talent for high-value strategic work. This is a hybrid, in-person role based in Ellucian’s Reston, VA headquarters.
Responsibilities
• Legal Operations Strategy & Leadership
• Define and execute the Legal Department’s operational strategy to support business growth, risk management, and scalability.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the CLO and Legal leadership, providing operational insight and execution support.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Legal Operations team, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Support execution of the Legal Department’s operational strategy and annual priorities.
• Manage day-to-day legal operations programs, timelines, and deliverables.
• Provide operational support to Legal leadership, including preparation for leadership meetings and reporting forums.
• Technology, Process & Transformation
• Own the Legal technology strategy, including system selection, implementation, optimization, governance, and ROI measurement.
• Drive continuous optimization of legal workflows (e.g., matter intake, contract lifecycle management, knowledge management).
• Partner with internal stakeholders, including IT and Engineering to leverage existing platforms and develop solutions for legal analytics, reporting, and insights.
• Lead change management for new tools, processes, and policies; maintain documentation, playbooks, and standard operating procedures.
• Manage adoption of automation, AI tools, and analytics to improve efficiency and reduce cycle times.
• Oversee effective use of AI, automation, vendors, and consultants to deliver measurable efficiency gains.
• Financial & Vendor Management
• Manage the Legal Department budget, including forecasting.
• Oversee outside counsel and alternative legal service spend to ensure efficient engagement and value.
• Manage vendor and technology ROI analysis.
• Metrics, Reporting & Analytics
• Establish and maintain KPIs, dashboards, and reporting to drive data-informed decision-making and demonstrate Legal’s value.
• Provide workload visibility, performance analysis, and resource planning insights.
• Identify operational risks and opportunities for improvement across legal service delivery.
• Support annual planning and quarterly business reporting cycles, including budgets, OKRs, and MBOs.
• Coordinate tracking of legal matters and support key Legal leadership forums and meetings.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Collaborate with Finance, IT, Procurement, Compliance, and other stakeholders to align Legal operations with company priorities.
• Manage and drive major legal operations initiatives with clear ownership, timelines, and accountability.
Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree, paralegal experience or relevant certification preferred.
• Significant experience in legal operations, legal management, or related operational leadership roles.
• Experience implementing and working with legal workflow and automation tools (e.g., Ironclad CLM, ServiceNow, Salesforce CPQ).
• Demonstrated success leading legal technology, automation, and data-driven transformation initiatives.
• Experience managing budgets, vendors, and outside counsel spend.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and scale legal processes, technology, and governance frameworks in a global environment.
• Advanced data and analytics capability to measure performance and inform strategic decision-making.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and executive-level stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to translate strategy into actionable plans and drive cross-functional execution through complexity and change.
• Experience supporting an in-house legal department strongly preferred.
• Collaborative, proactive leadership style with a focus on results, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Leadership and high attention to detail and ability to produce clear, executive-ready work product.
Nice-to-haves
• Experience supporting an in-house legal department strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree, paralegal experience or relevant certification preferred.
Benefits
• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, and vision
• Flexible time off
• Thrive Flex Lifestyle Account (LSA) that allows you to contribute towards your health, financial or learning interests
• 401k w/ match & BrightPlan - to help you save for the future
• Parental Leave
• 5 charitable days to support the community that supports us
• Telemedicine
• Wellness
• Headspace Care (mental health)
• Wellbeats (virtual fitness classes)
• RethinkCare & Wellthy– caregiver supporq
• Diversity and inclusion programs which provide access to internal employee resource groups
• Employee referral bonuses to encourage the addition of great new people to the team
• Education Assistance Program
• Professional development opportunities