Director Category Management, Legal Services

We’re determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals – and to help others accomplish theirs, too. Join our team as we help shape the future.   

Company Overview: The Hartford is a strong company with a powerful brand and a bright future. The Strategic Sourcing and Real Estate (SSRE) department plays a critical role in advancing The Hartford’s business objectives and delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Position Overview: Are you ready to lead the charge in revolutionizing our legal sourcing strategy? We are on the hunt for a Legal Category Manager to spearhead our procurement initiatives and optimize our legal spend. This role is pivotal in enhancing supplier relationships and driving unparalleled value across our legal services portfolio. If you have a deep understanding of the legal industry, exceptional negotiation skills, and a strategic mindset to tackle complex sourcing challenges, we want you on our team!

*The position is hybrid, with an expectation to work in the Hartford, CT office three days a week (primarily Tuesday through Thursday).

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Craft and execute a cutting-edge strategic sourcing strategy for the Legal Category that aligns seamlessly with The Hartford’s ambitious business goals.
• Spend Analysis: Dive deep into legal spending patterns to uncover opportunities for cost savings, efficiency boosts, and risk mitigation.
• Supplier Management: Forge and nurture strong alliances with legal service providers, ensuring they meet The Hartford’s high standards and performance expectations.
• Negotiation: Lead and co-lead high-stakes negotiations with legal vendors to secure the best terms and conditions, driving value while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal teams, including legal, compliance, finance, and operations, to understand their needs and align sourcing strategies.
• Market Research: Stay ahead of the curve by keeping informed about industry trends, market dynamics, and emerging legal technologies to guide sourcing decisions and identify innovative solutions.
• Performance Metrics: Set and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of sourcing initiatives and supplier performance.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks associated with legal sourcing, ensuring adherence to internal policies and external regulations.
• Best Practices Implementation: Implement best practices within the category to drive cost reductions and optimize spend by leveraging demand and supply opportunities.
• Optimization Opportunities: Enhance sourcing model maturity based on industry best practices and The Hartford’s operating model. Utilize procurement technology to manage the end-to-end procurement lifecycle.
• Contract Management: Manage new and existing contracts, driving standards and best practices. Evaluate and introduce new suppliers with innovative, cost-cutting, or disruptive technologies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Law, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred but not required.
• 10-15 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or vendor management, with a focus on the Legal Category.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex sourcing projects and negotiations in the legal industry.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, with experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Knowledge of legal service delivery models, trends, and best practices.
• Experience in leading strategic sourcing processes as well as reviewing, analyzing, drafting, and negotiating contract terms.
• Strong packaging and presentation skills with the ability to analyze and explain complex pricing models.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work within an agile team environment.
• Creative, quality, and results-driven work ethic.
• Strong focus on customer engagement and service.
• Clear understanding of the elements that contribute to contract quality, including business and legal protections and risk mitigation.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.

Compensation

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of The Hartford’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and on-the-spot recognition. The annualized base pay range for this role is:

Equal Opportunity Employer/Sex/Race/Color/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Religion/Age

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