Legal Operations Manager
No Relocation Assistance Offered
Job Number #172219 - New York, New York, United States
Note that this position can be located in either our New York, NY or Piscataway, NJ office.
Who We Are
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!
Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.
Joining the Legal team at Colgate-Palmolive means aligning yourself with a values-driven brand that prioritizes career advancement and personal well-being. Our culture is defined by high trust, empathy, and a deeply collaborative spirit where cross-functional partnerships are the norm. Here you are part of a supportive community that fosters mutual respect, empowers your decision-making, and provides the stability needed for a fulfilling, long-term career.
You will serve as a strategic financial partner for the Global Legal Organization (GLO), driving cost savings and overseeing day-to-day legal finance operations. By developing global operational strategies and managing legal spend across various specialties, you will directly influence our efforts to decrease non-variable overhead costs. You will own the relationship with legal service providers and lead savings initiatives that support significant business priorities. This is a pivotal opportunity to implement innovative financial solutions and manage the technical evolution of our eBilling systems.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement global operational & savings strategies for the GLO to optimize cost, quality, and delivery while maintaining Ethics & Compliance Standards
- Direct the review and creation of budgets and quarterly estimates for key legal specialties, identifying cost drivers and spend timing patterns to ensure financial alignment
- Manage key supplier relationships and negotiate fee agreements with outside counsel to deliver annual cost savings
- Oversee the day-to-day functional and technical support of the Onit eBilling software, including invoice integration and troubleshooting with Accounts Payable
- Collaborate with Global, Division, and Subsidiary leadership to articulate spend variations and resolve complex budgeting issues
- Drive the adoption of legal supplier management processes and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to proactively refine legal procurement strategy
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or related field
- 6+ years of experience in legal operations, finance, or a related procurement field
- Strong experience negotiating contracts and fee agreements with outside counsel and other legal providers
- Experience managing external supplier relationships including contracting, billing, and customer service
Preferred Qualifications
- MBA or Master’s Degree in CS, Math, Economics, or Finance
- Experience with legal Matter Management and eBilling systems (e.g., Onit)
- Experience with generative AI tools (e.g. Gemini, ChatGPT, etc.)
- Continuous improvement mindset with experience implementing financial or budget process improvements
- Strong analytical decision making and data-driven approach
Compensation And Benefits
Salary Range $110,000.00 - $155,000.00 USD
Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.
Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.
Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.
For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.
