Director of Legal, Insurance, and Real Estate Operations

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery,LLC • Oakbrook Terrace, IL

12d • $130,000 - $150,000

About The Position

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery is seeking a strategic and experienced Director of Legal, Insurance, and Real Estate Operations to join our team and oversee critical operational functions that align with our business objectives. This role will be responsible for managing all legal, insurance, and real estate activities within the organization. You will ensure compliance with laws and regulations, mitigate risks, and optimize the company’s real estate portfolio. The ideal candidate will possess a strong legal background, expertise in strategic insurance management, and a proven track record in real estate operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Juris Doctor (JD), MBA, or other advanced degree preferred
• 8–10+ years of progressive experience in legal operations, or corporate legal functions
• Strong background in contract management, commercial agreements, and corporate governance
• Demonstrated experience managing or implementing legal technology solutions and systems
• Proven ability to design, optimize, and scale operational processes within legal or cross-functional environments
• Experience overseeing insurance programs, including risk mitigation strategies and claims management
• Knowledge of real estate operations, including lease negotiation, property management, and portfolio strategy
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis in partnership with finance teams
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization
• Ability to work independently while effectively escalating issues when needed to Chief Legal Officer
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with legal systems, contract management tools, and databases

Responsibilities

• In conjunction with the Chief Legal Officer assist in the management of outside counsel, implementation of tools and technology for operational efficiencies and business processes.
• Provide legal guidance and support to senior management and various departments.
• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts and agreements to protect the company's interests.
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance, local, state, and federal regulations, and manage legal risks.
• Lead outside counsel engagement, including onboarding, performance tracking, and billing oversight.
• Provide guidance and advice across the organization as a member of multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Partner closely with Finance business partners and FP&A team to manage budgeting, forecasting and budget variance analysis for Legal.
• Develop and implement insurance strategies to safeguard company assets and mitigate risk.
• Manage relationships with insurance brokers and providers, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
• Analyze and manage insurance claims and coordinate with legal counsel as necessary.
• Oversee the acquisition, disposition, and management of real estate assets.
• Develop and implement real estate strategies that align with the company’s growth objectives.
• Negotiate leases, contracts, and agreements related to property management.
• Work closely with finance, HR, and operations teams to ensure alignment on legal, insurance, and real estate matters.
• Lead initiatives to educate staff on legal compliance and risk management best practices.
• Serve as a key point of contact for business stakeholders on legal processes and contracts.
• Support high-volume commercial contracting needs, including NDAs and vendor agreements.
• Identify opportunities to streamline legal workflows and eliminate inefficiencies.
• Develop and document standard operating procedures and best practices.
• Support compliance initiatives, including policy development and internal training.

Benefits

• medical, dental, and vision coverage
• tax-advantaged savings accounts (HSA/FSA)
• a 401(k) plan with company match
• company-paid life and disability insurance
• access to wellness resources such as virtual healthcare and an employee assistance program
• generous paid-time off program
• company-paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director