Senior Director – Legal Operations & Innovation Lead

Pfizer•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

ROLE SUMMARY The Senior Director – Legal Operations & Innovation leads the Legal Division’s operational backbone, driving strategic transformation, digital enablement, and process excellence. Reporting to the VP – Risk Assessment, Monitoring, Governance and Legal Operations, this role is responsible for designing and executing a unified legal operations strategy, fostering a culture of integrity, innovation, and continuous improvement, and enabling the business to deliver with speed and efficiency across global markets. This is a senior leadership role that directly interfaces with the Legal Division Executive Leadership Team (LDET) in support of all the Legal Division Practice Areas. The Legal Operations & Innovation Lead will partner with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to advance operational priorities, technology adoption, and scalable solutions that reduce costs, increase efficiency and effectiveness, and support the evolving needs of the Legal Division. ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES Legal Operations Strategy & Execution Develop and execute long-term legal operations strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and align with divisional and enterprise objectives. Oversee vendor management partnering with key stakeholders on operational efficiencies and cost transparency for the Legal Division. Support end-to-end vendor management processes (intake, POs, matter coding, invoicing, reporting). Partner with senior Legal Division leadership on optimizing outside counsel engagement and budget. Lead analytics on outside counsel and vendor spend; streamline and scale Legal Ops reporting. Process Optimization & Change Management Identify and implement process optimization opportunities using data-driven and risk-based approaches. Lead cross-functional teams on long-term projects, from inception to implementation, supporting measurable outcomes. Automate manual processes and reporting to improve efficiency and accuracy. Support evolving support models, including delivery of client self-service solutions. Technology, Digital Strategy & Innovation Manage the Legal Division technology stack governance, and related budget – Technology stack includes TeamConnect, Legal Data Management (LDM), Legal Data Warehouse (LDW), Legal on Demand (LoD), and Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM). Drive adoption of AI, Copilot, and automation opportunities to gain efficiencies in ways of working. Oversee annual tech budgeting process and monitor project spend; assess emerging technologies and implement best-in-class solutions. Lead digital strategy and governance, centralizing intake and accelerating scale of reusable solutions. Work closely with Legal Digital partners to support division-wide and practice group-specific technology solutions. Knowledge Management & Service Delivery Oversee Administrative Center of Excellence (ACOE) to ensure focus on highest-impact requests while continuing to build skills and experience that identify complex operational tasks and processes that might be centralized into Legal Ops. Curate Legal Division-wide information and resources; manage knowledge/document management strategy and communications. Support training and development, upskilling programs, and adoption of digital tools by working with practice groups to expand legal professional support and/or self-service models to meet client needs. Champion best practice sharing and continuous improvement across the Division including benchmarking exercises with peer companies. Data Analytics & Reporting Lead strategy and development of analytics and reporting to support Division goals and data-driven decisions. Deliver automated, fit-for-purpose solutions for improved efficiency and visibility. Culture & Colleague Engagement Maintain a diverse, high-performing, change-agile team; foster a culture anchored in integrity, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Support colleague development, engagement, and recognition programs. Role model Pfizer’s values and actionable attitudes, influencing enterprise culture to align with business strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (JD, CPA, MBA, or equivalent) preferred.
12+ years of senior experience in operations, legal, compliance, finance, or related functions within a complex global organization.
Previous people manager experience.
Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional teams and Centers of Excellence, with proven ability to influence senior stakeholders in a matrix environment.
Experience in finance, budgeting, and vendor management.
Proven track record of operational expertise, delivering synergies, and driving innovative solutions with emerging technologies.
Experience leading digital transformation, technology adoption, and knowledge management initiatives.
Superior project management skills, with the ability to effectively manage time, prioritize work, and multi-task across many competing high priorities.
Experience across multiple geographies and functions, with a strong culture of engagement, quality, and continuous improvement
Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.
This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute long-term legal operations strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and align with divisional and enterprise objectives.
Oversee vendor management partnering with key stakeholders on operational efficiencies and cost transparency for the Legal Division.
Support end-to-end vendor management processes (intake, POs, matter coding, invoicing, reporting).
Partner with senior Legal Division leadership on optimizing outside counsel engagement and budget.
Lead analytics on outside counsel and vendor spend; streamline and scale Legal Ops reporting.
Identify and implement process optimization opportunities using data-driven and risk-based approaches.
Lead cross-functional teams on long-term projects, from inception to implementation, supporting measurable outcomes.
Automate manual processes and reporting to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Support evolving support models, including delivery of client self-service solutions.
Manage the Legal Division technology stack governance, and related budget – Technology stack includes TeamConnect, Legal Data Management (LDM), Legal Data Warehouse (LDW), Legal on Demand (LoD), and Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM).
Drive adoption of AI, Copilot, and automation opportunities to gain efficiencies in ways of working.
Oversee annual tech budgeting process and monitor project spend; assess emerging technologies and implement best-in-class solutions.
Lead digital strategy and governance, centralizing intake and accelerating scale of reusable solutions.
Work closely with Legal Digital partners to support division-wide and practice group-specific technology solutions.
Oversee Administrative Center of Excellence (ACOE) to ensure focus on highest-impact requests while continuing to build skills and experience that identify complex operational tasks and processes that might be centralized into Legal Ops.
Curate Legal Division-wide information and resources; manage knowledge/document management strategy and communications.
Support training and development, upskilling programs, and adoption of digital tools by working with practice groups to expand legal professional support and/or self-service models to meet client needs.
Champion best practice sharing and continuous improvement across the Division including benchmarking exercises with peer companies.
Lead strategy and development of analytics and reporting to support Division goals and data-driven decisions.
Deliver automated, fit-for-purpose solutions for improved efficiency and visibility.
Maintain a diverse, high-performing, change-agile team; foster a culture anchored in integrity, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Support colleague development, engagement, and recognition programs.
Role model Pfizer’s values and actionable attitudes, influencing enterprise culture to align with business strategy.

Benefits

participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 25.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program
401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution
paid vacation, holiday and personal days
paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage

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