Senior Director, Head of Legal Operations

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies—like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion—have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.

Senior Director, Head of Legal Operations and Chief of Staff to Chief Legal Officer

Working in partnership with the EVP, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and the global Legal Leadership Team, the Senior Director, Head of Legal Operations will develop and lead the Legal Operations function, driving strategic and operational effectiveness across the Legal Department, supervising the two current Operations employees.  This individual will update and execute the department's strategic roadmap, champion continuous improvement, and oversee day-to-day operations including budgeting, staffing, technology, vendor management, and reporting. The role reports to CLO.

Essential Job Duties

• Strategic Leadership — Develop annual and mid-term goals, implement initiatives to enhance Legal Department effectiveness, track performance metrics, arrange employee development opportunities, and conduct third-party benchmarking.
• Vendor & Outside Counsel Management — Administer law firm and vendor engagements, track spend, support fee negotiations, lead RFPs, monitor performance, and manage recurring subscriptions.
• Financial & Budget Management — Partner with Finance to develop and manage the department budget, oversee purchase requisitions and invoices, handle expense accruals, and lead spend analysis and efficiency initiatives.
• Process & Technology Improvement — Evaluate and implement AI and other technology solutions, leverage data analytics to support decision-making, and develop dashboards and reports on billing optimization and financial operations.
• Legal Technology Leadership — Own the strategy, prioritization, and implementation of legal tech projects (matter management, e-signing, document management, billing, ticketing systems) in coordination with IT and PMO.
• Communications & Administration — Lead onboarding programs, manage policies and trainings, oversee document archiving, publish Legal communications, coordinate notarization services, and manage Legal Summits and major events.
• Cross-Functional Leadership — Form and lead organization-wide working groups and committees on complex global initiatives, projects, and integrations.
• Chief of Staff Support — Serve as a strategic partner and Chief of Staff to the EVP, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, managing department communications, preparing board and leadership materials, coordinating Legal Leadership Team meetings and agendas, tracking and driving follow-through on key priorities and action items, and acting as a trusted liaison between the CLO and internal/external stakeholders.
• Special Projects — Execute additional projects and responsibilities at the direction of the EVP, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer.

Required Skills & Experience

• B.A./B.S. required; M.B.A. or J.D. highly preferred
• 15+ years in legal operations or related fields; 8+ years in people management
• Progressive history in corporate legal department or law firm management
• Proven track record building and leading diverse teams
• Strong financial management, budgeting, and analytical skills
• Proficiency in legal technology and software, including AI tools
• Excellent written, oral, and negotiation skills
• Strategic thinker with a continuous improvement mindset
• Trusted with highly confidential and privileged information
• Positive, dynamic, and self-motivated with strong organizational skills

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of healthcare and life sciences industries
• Experience working at or managing outside counsel on a global basis
• Active participation in industry organizations and trade associations

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees
who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s
start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

Accommodation & Accessibility Notice:

Intuitive is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, please contact People Services at [email protected].

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.