Head of Legal Operations #4502

Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Strategy
• Serve as the senior operational leader for the Legal Department, defining and executing the Legal Operations strategy in alignment with GRAIL’s enterprise goals.
• Operate with significant autonomy and provide strategic counsel to senior Legal leadership on operational performance, resource planning, technology investments, and process maturity.
• Lead and develop a high-performing Legal Operations team, including functions spanning technology, knowledge management, analytics, project management, and vendor management.


Operational Excellence
• Oversee end-to-end process improvement initiatives, including workflow automation, cross-functional coordination, and operational risk mitigation.
• Establish operational governance, including documentation standards, policy frameworks, and legal process controls.


Technology & Systems
• Own the legal technology roadmap and evaluate, implement, and manage enterprise tools (e.g., e-billing and matter management, legal intake/workflow, AI-enabled legal technology databases, and compliance platforms).
• Partner closely with IT, Cybersecurity, Finance, Procurement, and Accounting to ensure legal technology solutions integrate effectively with enterprise systems.
• Oversee electronic discovery.
• Maintain and improve legal forms and templates; handle overflow agreement support (including NDAs); and help manage the legal intake process.
• Manage records retention, including preservation and destruction.
• Oversee litigation administrative support, including record requests, reviews, and production.


Data, Metrics & Analytics
• Build and lead a data-driven performance program for Legal, tracking KPIs such as contracting velocity, matter lifecycle management, outside counsel spend, cost trends, and service metrics.
• Translate data insights into actionable recommendations.


Financial & Vendor Operations
• Direct spend management activities and manage detailed aspects of the Legal Department’s budgeting, forecasting, accruals, and cost optimization efforts.
• Manage outside counsel and vendor relationships, including rate negotiations, performance evaluations, engagement guidelines, and overall vendor portfolio strategy.
• Track outside counsel budgets, discounts, and invoices.


Project & Program Management
• Drive major cross-functional initiatives requiring Legal oversight or coordination, ensuring clear project structure, communication, timelines, and execution.
• Provide enterprise-level project management support for complex legal, regulatory, or operational programs.


Knowledge Management & Training
• Lead Legal’s knowledge management strategy, ensuring policies, playbooks, templates, and training materials are maintained, accessible, and aligned with compliance and regulatory expectations.
• Partner with legal subject-matter experts to build training programs that enhance organizational capability and readiness.
• Elevate self-reliance among Legal internal stakeholders and strengthen corporate risk management practices.
• These responsibilities summarize the role’s primary responsibilities and are not an exhaustive list. They may change at the company’s discretion.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree or advance degree
• Experience operating in a high-growth, highly regulated industry.
• Demonstrated success leading Legal Operations at scale, including:
• Budget ownership and financial management
• Team leadership
• Legal system implementation
• Operational transformation initiatives

Preferred Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience in Legal Operations, legal program management, or legal technology leadership.
• Experience in biotech, healthcare, or life sciences.
• Litigation paralegal experience.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience building data programs, metrics, and operational dashboards.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with a proven ability to partner with senior executives and cross-functional leaders.
• Ability to operate with autonomy, navigate ambiguity, and drive solutions in a fast-paced environment.
• High integrity, strong judgment, and alignment with GRAIL’s mission, values, and leadership attributes.
• Deep knowledge of legal technology ecosystems and operational best practices across commercial, regulatory, compliance, privacy, IP, employment, and governance domains.

Physical Demands & Working Environment:

• Hours and days may vary depending on operational needs.
• Standing or sitting for long periods of time may be necessary.
• Some lifting (up to 25 pounds) may be necessary.