Occupational Summary

“The Duke Office of Counsel is looking to hire a Director of Legal Operations to support the successful implementation of necessary changes and systems to support the Office and the institution.  The Director of Legal Operations will be responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the administrative and operational responsibilities of the Office of Counsel.  The successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of leadership in an in-house legal office or a law firm, including a keen understanding of the business aspects of a legal office and a high level of trust in dealing with confidential materials and information.”

Work Performed

• Outside Counsel Relationships:  Primary responsibility for managing the business aspects of outside counsel relationships, including budgeting, forecasting, and managing expenses as part of outside counsel’s legal services. The Director should be able to develop and maintain relationships with outside counsel, ensure compliance with outside counsel guidelines, and drive value from legal spend.
• Vendor and Technology Management: Oversee vendor relationships, including negotiating terms and managing contracts. Implement and manage legal tech solutions, such as e-billing platforms and document management systems (e.g., iManage) to ensure they are used to their fullest capabilities.
• Office Management.  Supervise legal coordinators, ensuring that legal support human resources are used effectively and efficiently to support the office’s operations and goals.
• Legal Financial Management: Manage the office’s budget, including planning, tracking, and analyzing legal expenses. Analyze legal spending patterns and identify opportunities for cost savings. Oversee the invoicing and payment process for legal services.
• Strategic Planning and Reporting: Assist with development of strategic plans and goals for the legal department. Monitor performance based on those goals and provide data-driven insights to legal leadership for decision-making.
• The above is not a full summary of the work performed, and the Director will perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:        

Work requires a Bachelors degree.

Experience/Skills: 

• Work requires a minimum of eight years of total professional experience, including:
• Experience working in a law firm or in-house legal office, with prior experience in managing the operations of a legal team.
• Substantial and progressive experience managing people and processes.
• Strong financial planning skills
• Strong written and communication skills
• Strong leadership and planning skills
• Strong project management skills
• Team player who is results-oriented and self-motivated
• Keen sense of client service and ethical obligations in the in-house setting.

Work Location:       Durham, NC, in person (current office schedule encourages in-person work and requires a certain number of days while permitting remote work on other days)

Excellent pay and benefits. Durham, North Carolina and the surrounding communities are lively, progressive, growing cities with a good quality of life, including for families.

The Office of Counsel encourages applications from individuals who will contribute to and help advance the Duke’s values of respect, trust, inclusion, discovery, and excellence.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.