Head of Legal Operations, US

natgridProd • Waltham, MA

21h • $166,000 - $209,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

National Grid is seeking a US Head of Legal Operations to join their General Counsel Operations team. This leadership role will oversee legal operations across the US and act as a key business partner to General Counsels in New York, New England, National Grid Ventures, and the General Counsel, Litigation and Chief Compliance Officer. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving operational excellence, outside counsel management, financial discipline, and digital enablement of the legal teams in the US. This role will also collaborate with UK colleagues on cross-functional initiatives. The position requires an experienced legal operations leader with strong communication, influencing, and change management skills, capable of driving continuous improvement across the General Counsel function. Exceptional stakeholder management, senior-level operation across multiple business units, and a proven track record of delivering transformational results in legal operations are essential.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required
• Significant experience in legal operations, with progressive leadership responsibility.
• Experience managing financial aspects within a legal department, including outside counsel management, budgeting and financial forecasting.
• Exceptional communicator and presenter, with an ability to convey detailed information simply, clearly and succinctly.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate and build relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong track record of technology implementation and driving digital adoption within legal functions, including experience with AI and emerging technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive change across all levels of an organization, including at the senior executive level.
• Proven experience operating effectively within matrix organizations and partnering across multiple business units and geographies.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify process improvement opportunities and implement effective solutions.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Experience building, leading, and developing high-performing teams.
• Must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (JD, MBA, or equivalent) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary legal operations business partner to the General Counsels for New York, New England, National Grid Ventures, Litigation and Chief Compliance Officer, building trust and credibility ensuring leadership engagement with our legal operations objectives, including our Digital Strategy.
• Influence and drive change and continuous improvement across all levels of the General Counsel function.
• Own financial management of the legal teams in the US, including budgeting, forecasting, and delivery against efficiency and value targets.
• Lead outside counsel panel strategy and management across the legal team in the US.
• Manage external legal budgeting, forecasting, and spend.
• Drive cost control, billing compliance, and value for money.
• Identify opportunities to reduce outside counsel spend, drive performance, service quality, and delivery.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of legal operations in the US and across the wider General Counsel function as needed.
• Collaborate with legal team members and GC Operations colleagues to assess current processes and identify areas for process optimization.
• Oversee and manage legal operations projects, ensuring delivery against agreed outcomes, timelines and budgets.
• Establish mature legal data and insights capability for our General Counsels in the US, enabling actionable insights and evidence-based decision making.
• Use legal data to drive effectiveness and efficiency, support prioritization and resourcing decisions, and measure the impact of the legal team.
• Partner closely with the Director of Innovation & Digital to drive the regional implementation and adoption of our Digital Strategy.
• Lead the regional deployment and adoption of technology solutions including AI-driven solutions within legal workflows, matter management, contract automation, e-billing platforms, and Generative AI technologies.
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing legal operations team in the US.
• Develop team capabilities, ensuring high performance and engagement.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture.
• Support General Counsels in the US with leadership calls, including developing agendas, content, meeting notes, and action items.
• Ensure communications reinforce our operational objectives, including our Digital Strategy.

Benefits

• National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.

What This Job Offers

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