Job Summary
Otsuka is seeking a Legal Operations Senior Manager to play a key role in the implementation of operational excellence and other strategic initiatives. This candidate will be an imaginative leader, adept at identifying areas for improvement and implementing impactful solutions. Reporting directly to Senior Director, Chief of Staff, this role will help build and enhance the Department’s operational culture, strategy, and performance. The Legal Operations Senior Manager will be responsible for identifying and independently implementing process improvements and technology solutions that span the department as well as other key stakeholders. This individual is an emerging expert in project management and change management, is data driven and a strategic problem solver with the ability to negotiate compromises and to drive results. This role requires excellent communication, management, and interpersonal skills. The Legal Operations Senior Manager will lead and support change at all levels, including with vendors, executives, in-house attorneys, support staff and other key stakeholders within the Company.
This role can be based in Otsuka’s Rockville, MD., Princeton, N.J. offices or remotely in the EST time zone. No matter where the role is located, up to 20% travel within the US is required based upon business needs.
Job Description
Project & Change Management:
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Lead department efforts for projects, collaborating with IT and Sourcing as well as external vendors and consultants. Ensure legal requirements are clear and timelines are met.
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Serve as the legal operations subject matter expert for muti-disciplinary projects- including identify requirements, ROI, document review, testing, implementations, training, and documentation/guides.
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With the legal Chief of Staff, define and drive strategic and operational initiatives with on-time and on-budget results.
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Champion the adoption and optimization of legal technology and improve existing implementations to streamline operations.
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Cultivate strong cross-functional relationships and lead collaborative teams to achieve shared goals.
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Create useful resources and trainings related to Department systems and processes.
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Develop and implement efficient legal workflows and processes. Identify areas for improvement within the legal department and provide solutions.
Metrics KPIs and Data Analysis
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Develop, implement, and maintain key operational and substantive metrics for practice groups that will better inform decision-making, including matter and work product analyses.
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Enhance data analytics and reporting capabilities to improve decision-making for the legal team.
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Develop and maintain information dashboards for the General Counsel and leadership team.
Tech Stack Management
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Achieve expert knowledge of Otsuka contract management and workflow tools (Ariba, Evisort, Service Now). Identify and Implement processes and technologies to streamline transactional contract management from initiation to execution and renewal. Serve as key contributor to CLM initiatives.
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Understand industry trends and recommend changes to tech stack to reduce cost and increase efficiencies and effectiveness.
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Identify opportunities for automation, AI, and reduction of manual processes globally and partner with cross-functional teams on implementation of solutions.
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Assess all existing technology engagements to strategically manage our contract renewals. (financial, tool consolidation/replacement)
General
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Educate, encourage innovation, and influence change. Foster a culture of sharing.
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Organize and create standard operating procedures. Coordinate the drafting of internal guides, resources, and form documents.
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Provide creative thinking to develop cost efficiencies while maintaining excellent service.
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Participate in industry organizations to identify benchmark approaches and new strategies and models for the delivery of legal services.
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Support the Chief of Staff and General Counsel with other duties, as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
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7+ years’ experience in legal operations or a related role within a corporate legal department.
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7+ years in lead role of project and change management experience.
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Exceptional project management skills and experience with the ability to manage multiple projects, initiatives, and deadlines concurrently.
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Previous experience implementing a matter management system (Onit preferred)
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Process mapping and root cause analysis experience.
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Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
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Demonstrate exceptional follow-through and a strong sense of ownership.
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Approach challenges proactively, anticipating issues and developing effective solutions.
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Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills with internal and cross-functional teams
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Collaborative personality and a team player
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Strategic mindset and ability to develop and achieve long-term goals.
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Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Teams, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word).
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Proficiency with software applications used by law firms and legal departments for activities such as e-billing, matter management, document management, collaboration / communication, etc.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Advanced degree or certification in project management (PMP, Six Sigma)
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Pharma experience
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Previous experience with Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) deployment and management.
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Effective leadership abilities, both in leading teams with direct or indirect position authority.
At Otsuka our mission is to create new products for better health worldwide. Our purpose is to defy limitation so others can too.
Otsuka is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Otsuka are considered without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, age, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or genetic information, among other protected bases.
To that end, the Legal Affairs department at Otsuka is seeking qualification as a Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified Law Department as part of the Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule initiative, which measures and seeks to increase diversity within law departments. Providing your data during the application process helps us with achieving that goal and with meeting reporting/record-keeping obligations under federal and state law and other legal requirements. Providing your data is entirely voluntary and will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be treated confidentially.
Competencies
Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.
Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.
Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.
Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.
Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.
Minimum $127,923.00 - Maximum $182,930.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting salary for candidates hired to perform the work. Other elements may be used to determine actual salary such as the candidate’s job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.
Company benefits: comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage, company provided Basic Life, AD&D, Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, a 401(k) match, PTO allotment each calendar year, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.
Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://www.otsuka-us.com/careers-join-otsuka.
Disclaimer:
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Accommodation Request.
Statement Regarding Job Recruiting Fraud Scams
At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives. They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.
Please understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.
Otsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters.
To ensure that you are communicating about a legitimate job opportunity at Otsuka, please only deal directly with Otsuka through its official Otsuka Career website https://vhr-otsuka.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External.
Otsuka will not be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages or expenses resulting from job recruiting scams. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Otsuka’s call center at: 800-363-5670. If you believe you are the victim of fraud resulting from a job recruiting scam, please contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov, or your local authorities.
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Top Skills
What We Do
There are two Otsuka pharmaceutical industry companies in the U.S.:
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (OAPI) successfully commercializes Otsuka-discovered and in-licensed products in North America.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. (OPDC) clinically develops and registers innovative healthcare products on a global basis.
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