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Senior Director, Legal Operations

Posted Jun 02
Full Time
RemoteNorth Carolina

Ciena is committed to our people-first philosophy. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a personalized and flexible work environment that empowers an individual’s passions, growth, wellbeing and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President & General Counsel, the Senior Director, Legal Operations leads the operational strategy and key operational functions for the legal department, and serves as a member of the department’s leadership team.

This role is responsible for the financial, operational and administrative functions of the legal department.

The role will is responsible for designing strategies and execution roadmaps for technology, knowledge and records management, and resource and workforce planning. This role is expected to play a significant part in the management and implementation of key process improvement initiatives, including the development of key performance metrics , dashboards and analytics.   Operating globally across multiple jurisdictions and subject matter areas, this position has senior level impact. The role holder will drive operational excellence across the legal team, enabling the team to deliver high level impact across Ciena.

This position has 3 direct reports and is part of the Legal Leadership Team. This position is  based on the East Coast time zone; location and workstyle is flexible.

Key responsibilities:
Department Operations & Process Innovation

  • Drive transformation activities that result in organization efficiencies and improve department effectiveness and impact.
  • Develop and implement key department processes and procedures that improve workflow management, adopt best practices and advance departmental strategies and goals
  • Works closely with the legal team to ensure efficient and effective delivery of legal services. 
  • Partner with senior leaders in the legal team and cross functionally to identify and resolve operational challenges and address opportunities for improvement.
  • Assist the General Counsel in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives for the legal department.
  • Coordinate and influence agendas for legal leadership and department all hands meetings and communication

Budget, Forecasting and Vendor Management

  • Manage Global Legal team budgets of $26.5M, including forecasting and cost monitoring and control measures
  • Develop and implement processes and procedures for the legal department budgeting and expenditures
  • Develop and implement processes to manage the engagement, fees and invoicing of outside counsel and other service providers

Workforce Strategies, Management & Development

  • Assist General Counsel with recommendations to maximize team performance, opex management and allocate resources, including between internal and external providers
  • Assist General Counsel with the execution of talent management strategies, such as growth & performance and development and retention of individuals.
  • Drive a plan for global legal team learning agenda. Including design, implement and manage the Legal Department’s continuing legal education (CLE) / training program
  • Track and manage CLE requirements and professional association memberships

Technology & Tools

  • Lead global technology enablement across all legal practice areas.
  • Develop roadmap for legal team technology evolution, involving the enhancement of existing tools and technologies to drive more efficient and productive operations
  • Create and manage roadmap for new technology deployments
  • Manage relationships with tool vendors, partnering with the IT team to deliver roadmap

Knowledge Management & Records Repositories

  • Create availability of knowledge management systems for the Ciena Legal team.  Develop and maintain internal resources, such as sharepoint, self service portals
  • Organize and store legal collateral and related materials from Legal Department members and external legal service providers

Metrics and Analytics

  • Develop and oversee Key Performance Indicators for monitoring and reporting of Legal team performance and use data to credibly influence senior level & executive stakeholders Develop and oversee Legal team operational dashboard of various indicators to create insight and inform decision making

Candidate Experience & Person Specification

  • Relevant experience at a law firm or with an in-house corporate legal department in an operational role, with a strong understanding of legal department operations and technology is required
  • Experience of industry tools and technology and / or process improvements would be an advantage. 
  • Experience with budget management, forecasting and financial acumen
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively across all levels of global, multi-functional team
  • High degree of intellectual curiosity and ability to act as leader and change agent
  • Demonstrated project / process management experience
  • Proactive approach to recognizing needs, solving problems, anticipating issues and developing solutions
  • Strong collaboration skills, with ability to build relationships within team and across external departments
  • Good business judgment and sound decision-making
  • Highest standards of ethics, professional integrity and confidentiality
  • Self-starter, with proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
  • Attention to detail, with excellent time management and prioritization abilities
  • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (365)
    #LI-SG

At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard.  Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.

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