Legal Operations Specialist

Full-time Description U.S. Soccer Overview The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good. We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S. U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results. Position Description As the first Legal Operations Specialist at U.S. Soccer, you will help our Legal department run core functions like document management, contract lifecycle management, legal billing and budgeting, technology and vendor management, and routing incoming correspondence. Just as important, you will partner with Legal leadership to improve operational efficiency, enable data-driven decision-making, and get more out of our technology, including AI-enabled tools. This is a great opportunity to build the legal infrastructure of a rapidly growing department and make an impact across the organization. You won't find a typical legal operations job here! You will join a collaborative team that values mentorship and high standards, supporting a national governing body during a period of tremendous growth and ambition. Expect a fast pace, a casual work environment, and a front-row seat to the work of growing soccer in America. The ideal candidate has legal operations experience, a passion for organization and efficiency, and excitement for building processes and systems. You stay calm in the face of chaos and aren't afraid to challenge the status quo. This full-time, non-exempt position is based at our national training center in Fayetteville, GA. We currently operate on a hybrid schedule, with in-office days every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Primary Responsibilities Document Management Own our document management system and ensure that files are properly stored, named, and organized. Develop and maintain a cross-functional contract database. Receive and route physical legal mail. Process Management & Improvement Improve and streamline legal department processes by identifying, assessing, and implementing new processes, and leading change management to drive adoption. Document processes, create workflow diagrams and clear visuals to support operational improvements and stakeholder understanding. Assist with building and scaling a system for managing legal requests across the company. Ensure intake, routing, prioritization, and tracking are seamless and visible. Work closely with other departments to ensure legal processes align with how the business operates. Own and maintain legal knowledge spaces (e.g., on the company’s intranet) by keeping them organized, current, and easy to navigate. Legal Billing & Budget Management Oversee the e-billing and matter management system, including onboarding vendors, fielding questions, and collecting accruals. Develop and maintain relationships with law firm billing departments, and review outside counsel invoices for compliance with billing guidelines. Assist with managing the department budget. Technology & Vendor Management Partner with our paralegal to own the legal tech stack - managing tools like Ironclad, DocuSign, etc. Leverage AI to automate workflows and reduce manual work. Research, evaluate, and recommend emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to improve efficiency. Reporting & Analytics Assist Legal leaders in developing and implementing metrics and benchmarking to measure and report on team performance. Oversee the creation of regular, executive-level performance reports and presentations on legal department efficiencies, achievements, and value creation. General Responsibilities Operate with a strong bias for action, proactively identifying opportunities, driving initiatives forward independently, and exercising sound judgment on when to elevate things. Proactively engage with the legal operations community, industry forums, and vendor networks to identify emerging best practices and recommend improvements to our legal operations function. You may be asked to take on other tasks as assigned by Legal leadership. Requirements Minimum Qualifications 3-5 years of experience supporting legal operations, legal departments, or other similar professional services operations. Experience with legal matter management, e-billing or contract lifecycle management systems. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Experience driving or supporting process improvement initiatives. Experience working with data, reports, and metrics to support operational decision-making. Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite (e.g., Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint) and comfort learning new systems. Strong written and verbal communication skills. High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and compliance. General knowledge of soccer. Must be able to connect micro details to the macro vision and mission. Expectations of all members of our Legal & Enterprise Trust Services Department Be a supportive mentor: share professional and industry knowledge generously, provide active guidance on professional development to staff that is more junior to you, and contribute to a culture of intellectual curiosity and high standards. Provide thought leadership on legal operations, including how to create efficiencies, use technology, serve our internal clients better, and control costs. Contribute to the creation and maintenance of our standard forms library. Treat others with respect, kindness, patience, and empathy. U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development. U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply #J-18808-Ljbffr