Manager, Legal Operations

The Legal Operations Manager will help design and drive the contract lifecycle management process and coordinate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including internal teams, contract counterparties, and professional advisors. Leveraging available technologies, the Legal Operations Director will also maintain contract databases, ensure compliance with contractual obligations, develop and provide training related to contracting policies, and oversee contract archiving processes. The Legal Operations Manager will also be an integral part of building internal processes, workstreams and technologies to enhance the efficiency of the Legal Department and its engagement with divisions throughout NorthStar.

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Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Working with internal stakeholders and external parties, including vendors and professional advisors, including external legal counsel to coordinate drafting, review, negotiation, finalization, execution and retention of contracts, legal instruments and other documentation. Ensuring that all contracts, instruments and other documents are executed in accordance with organizational procedures within NorthStar.
• Implementing, maintaining and administering a contract lifecycle management system and other technologies, including internally-developed and proprietary technologies, to help with reporting and visibility into and compliance with contracts and other documents, as applicable. The Legal Operations Director will help enhance policies and procedures intended to maximum the fluidity of the internal and external legal services provided to NorthStar stakeholders.
• Assist the Legal Team in the implementation of technology solutions throughout the organization, and spearhead implementation and management of projects as needed in order to enhance the efficiencies of the Legal Team to provide legal services throughout NorthStar.
• Strategically and proactively create, maintain, and optimize process maps to ensure updated and compliant operational workflows, and with the direction of the General Counsel, develop and implement innovative solutions to enhance the functionality and efficiency of the legal department, including the use of automation and articulation, including involvement with internally-developed technology tools.
• Providing training to internal stakeholders on corporate policies and procedures, ensuring that everyone understand their roles and responsibilities relating to contracts and other legal obligations.
• Providing versatile and comprehensive support to the Legal Team's operations throughout NorthStar, including the Legal Team's budget.
• Monitoring compliance with contractual obligations, including renewals and terminations. This involves maintaining detailed records of contracts, tracking milestones, deliverables, and obligations.
• Developing frameworks that enhance efficiency in the contract lifecycle management process.
• Acting as a primary point of contact for matters related to the processing and retention of contracts and other documents. This requires effective communication with all stakeholders involved
• Managing the archiving of contracts and other documents to ensure they are securely stored and easily accessible for future reference and collaborating with others across departments with respect to information governance
• Other non-essential duties as assigned or may be necessary

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Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Experience handling a wide variety of contracts and contract-related matters in a corporate setting, working as a paralegal, or in a similar legal support role.
• Liaising among various internal and external stakeholders throughout the entire contract lifecycle management process, including during drafting, negotiations, finalization, execution and archiving related documentary support revising changes as required
• Excellent knowledge of legal requirements pertaining to relevant contracts and experience with designing standardized language and guidelines for contracts.
• Strong commitment to process improvement and innovation, including the use of technology to improve accuracy of work product and productivity.
• Proficiency in DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat Pro and Teams; Microsoft Office Suite skills: Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, SharePoint, Excel and PowerPoint.

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Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Law, Business, or Communications required
• Paralegal Certificate preferred
• 12+ year's experience in supporting legal function with contracts, including updating and maintaining contract management lifecycle workflows, facilitating electronic signatures via platforms such as DocuSign, and maintaining legal archives and performing administrative support duties