AVP, Legal Operations & Network Strategy

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process. AVP, Legal Operations & Network Strategy Full Time Senior Management Cleveland, OH, US 30+ days ago Requisition ID: 1228 Salary Range: $157,000.00 To $175,000.00 Annually A day in the life of an AVP, Legal Operations & Network Strategy at MetLife Legal Plans: The AVP, Legal Operations & Network Strategy provides executive leadership for the department responsible for overseeing both the strategic management of MetLife Legal Plans’ nationwide attorney network and the business processes that support it. This role ensures operational effectiveness across panel management and claims collaboration, while driving accountability to service level agreements, audit standards, and enterprise objectives. As a senior subject matter expert, the AVP provides guidance on complex coverage matters and escalations, ensuring cohesion between internal teams, member experience, and participating law firms. This leader sets the vision and direction for a team of relationship managers and support professionals, strengthening internal processes, enhancing network engagement, and delivering measurable performance outcomes. The role partners closely with Sales Support, Legal, Claims, Finance, and Operations to support growth initiatives, fee strategy, coverage evolution, and sponsor reporting. Success requires strong business acumen and the ability to balance legal expertise, operational scalability, financial considerations, and customer experience. The ideal candidate is a seasoned attorney and proven people leader who understands how law firms operate and can confidently lead at both the executive and practitioner levels. This is a strategic leadership opportunity for a legal professional who wants to influence how legal services are delivered at scale while leading a high‑performing department within a growth‑oriented organization. This position will be a hybrid position, with roughly two days in the Cleveland, OH office and three days remote . Responsibilities (Essential Duties and Responsibilities) Attorney Network Management Manage attorney panel including recruiting, training, supervising, evaluating and re‑credentialing and communicating with PLFs and visiting PLF offices as appropriate Lead a team 40 relationship managers to engage, support, educate and manage attorney relationships across the country Develop communications and strategies to strengthen our relationships, engage, educate and improve the network NPS Support coverage reviews including coverage determinations and coverage appeals. Manageannualreviewofnetworkattorneyfeestodetermineifadjustmentsneedtobemadetoexistingfeeschedules including negotiation of fees. MaintainandupdateParticipatingLawFirmmanualonaregularbasis. Support and manage virtual panel engagement offering available to members. Lead a team of associates that support scheduling appointments with our attorneys Support Sales department in completing RFP (request for proposal) responses, plan comparisons, and competitor comparisons. Participateinfinalistmeetings,customerfacingsalescalls/presentationsasrequestedbythesales/marketing organization. PartnerwithourSalesandLegaldepartmentsincreatingnewcoveragesand/orupdatingcoveragedefinitions and establish alignment of these changes throughout the organization. PartnerwithFinanceandLegaldepartmentsinestablishingnetworkandoutofnetworkattorneyfeesfornew coverage offerings. Approvespecialfeerequestsatfirmlevelduringrecruitmenttoournetwork . Compliance/Audit Management Manage attorney panel including recruiting, evaluating, and re‑credentialing to including malpractice checks. Managerecruitingofnetworkattorneysincluding:reviewingandapprovingallattorneyapplications Managetheattorneyauditsystemincludingassistingaccountingwithauditstandardsandcases,determining PLF status related to audit issues and managing training related audit issues Supportandmanageresponsesformembercomplaintsrelatingtocoverage,claimsprocessingandnetwork attorneys. Supportandrespondtoanylitigationwhichmayarisefromitemsdirectlyrelatedtoposition’smanagement responsibilities. Supportcompanylitigationbyresearchinglegalissuesand/orcoachingmembersoftheorganizationintheir responses. Supportandmanageauditactivityandresponsesrelatedtothepanelandclaimsdepartments. Obtainandmaintain adjustor licenses as deemed necessary for role responsibilities. Team Management Manage, coach, train, supervise and develop direct reports. Managedepartmentalstaffinglevels,paidtimeoff,performancereviewsandcompensation Supportbudgetplanningbyensuringstaffingandcapacitymodelsarekeptuptodateandreflectswork responsibilities across the Attorney Network and Claims Management teams. Participateinuseracceptancetestingforanychangesinprocess/technologyforthePanelManagementand Claims departments. SupporttrainingofnewteammembersinthePanelManagementandClaimsdepartments. Serveasaresourceandprovidetrainingforotherdepartmentsoncoverageandattorneynetworkissues Managetheclientinquirysystemincluding:reviewandresolutionofdifficultinquiries;reviewallegationsof attorney misconduct or poor service; review of attorney status; and categorization of inquiries Support Strategic Planning efforts and deliver on the organization’s objectives and key results. SupportorganizationwithachievingServiceLevelAgreementsandNPSgoals. ManageSLAreportoutrequestsforSponsors AssistLegal,Panel,andClaimsorganizationwithotheritemsasrequired. EnsurethatallemployeesareadheringtoandmodelingaftercompanySuccessPrinciples. Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, skills, and abilities required) Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university J.D.fromanaccreditedlawschool MustbelicensedingoodstandingintheStateofOhioorhavetheabilitytositfortheStateofOhiobar Possessaminimumof8yearsofexperienceasapracticingattorney Strongleadershipskillsandabilitytoworkwithinternalandexternalpartnersatalllevels Strongtimemanagementskillsandanabilitytoprioritizetasks Abilitytomotivateateamtoworktogethertoachieveandsupportorganizationalgoals Abilitytomanageteamandsupporttheindividualgoalsandobjectivesofteammembers Detail-orientedandwell-organized,withtheabilitytohandleahigh-volumeworkload Self-motivatedwiththeabilitytotakeinitiative Abilitytocommunicateeffectively,bothverballyandinwriting Abilitytoanalyzeandmanageclientserviceissues Ability to handle confidential and sensitive situations and documents What Will Make You Special (Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities): Experience in all aspects of the general practice of law and litigation matters Strongbusinessacumen Priorexperiencemanagingateam Knowledgeoftheindustry,businessandproduct Stronginterpersonalskills Abilitytocoach,mentorandtrainteammembers Abilitytothinkoutsidetheboxtoresolveissues Characteristics of our Director of Panel Operations (Competencies) Customer/client-focused Detail-oriented Businessacumen Abilitytothriveinbothateamatmosphereandanindependentworkenvironment Problem-solving/analytical skills Demonstrated leadership skills Abilitytomeetdeadlinesanddeliverresults Travel Upto10%travelmayberequiredforthisposition. Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the associate in this position. Associates will be required to follow any other job‑related instructions and to perform any other job‑related duties as requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the skills, aptitude, and ability to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship. MetLife Legal Plans is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law (“protected characteristics”). If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at View email address on click.appcast.io . This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process. #J-18808-Ljbffr Metlife Legal Plans