Legal Operations Manager

Our client, a professional services organization, is seeking a Paralegal, Legal Operations to support its Legal Department with outside counsel management and operational efficiency. This role focuses on overseeing outside counsel engagement and billing, managing legal technology and vendor relationships, tracking KPIs, and driving process improvements to enhance cost control, transparency, and legal service delivery. The ideal candidate brings strong legal operations experience, a data-driven and tech-enabled mindset, and the ability to partner cross-functionally in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. This is a hybrid role based in Plano, Texas, requiring on-site presence three days per week.

About The Role

This Paralegal, Legal Operations role supports a corporate Legal team by overseeing outside counsel processes and strengthening the department’s operational effectiveness. The position plays a key role in managing legal spend while advancing the team’s use of technology, AI-enabled tools, vendor partnerships, and performance metrics to improve efficiency and visibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the processes for retaining, paying, and evaluating outside legal counsel, with a focus on cost control and accountability
• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of legal technology and service vendors, including selection, implementation, training, renewals, and ongoing performance review
• Establish and monitor KPIs related to vendor utilization, spend, and adoption, using insights to recommend operational improvements and maximize value
• Administer legal department subscriptions and memberships, ensuring effective use of SaaS platforms, research tools, and professional resources
• Collaborate with attorneys and internal stakeholders to design and implement workflows that enhance legal service delivery and operational transparency
• Support initiatives that elevate the Legal team’s profile and thought leadership through awards, publications, and speaking opportunities

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate required

Experience

• Several years experience supporting a law firm or in-house legal department, with meaningful exposure to legal operations, technology, or outside counsel management

Preferred Experience

• Comfort working with legal technology platforms, including e-billing and matter management tools
• Data-informed approach to evaluating vendors and supporting operational decisions

Core Skills

• Strong initiative and organizational skills with the ability to drive projects through completion
• Clear and proactive communicator who identifies opportunities for improvement
• Demonstrated strengths in problem-solving, data analysis, and project management
• Adaptable and responsive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities
• Collaborative team player who builds effective relationships internally and externally

Work Environment

• Hybrid role with on-site presence required three days per week at a corporate headquarters location
• Frequent interaction with internal teams, outside counsel, and technology vendors
• Limited travel expected, generally under 5%