Assistant General Counsel & Legal Operations & Compliance Manager

Job Description:

Saab, Inc.  is seeking a dynamic, results-oriented Assistant General Counsel and Legal Operations Manager (AGC). The AGC will provide legal advice and counsel on a various legal issues facing the countries – labor and employment, government contracting, litigation management, intellectual property, and more. Additionally, the AGC will provide leadership, vision, direction and structure to the Legal Operations and Compliance function by implementing processes, practices and systems to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and performance of the legal team, facilitate change, and control costs. This important role will serve as a strategic partner to the General Counsel and have responsibility for the development and execution of the Legal Department’s long-term strategic plans and department priorities. The AGC will drive programs to enhance in-house efficiency, standardization of processes, enhanced cost controls and strategies, and creation and tracking of performance, cost and other metrics. The Manager will develop and implement a Legal Department technology roadmap to drive Legal’s effectiveness and efficiency. The AGC will be the primary point of contact with and provide coordination of law firms, develop and lead on outside counsel spend metrics, and manage the department’s legal budget and forecasting activities.

Key Job Activities:

• Strong legal experience in one of the following areas: labor and employment, US government and commercial contracting, government ethics and compliance, or intellectual property; preferably good experience in all of these areas

• Good understanding of FAR and DFARS

• Be a motivated self-starter, with strong legal, interpersonal, sound judgment, and communication skills

• Develop, communicate and execute the Legal Department’s long-term strategic plan

• Drive execution of Legal Department priorities

• Enhance efficiency, operations and performance of the Legal Department, including resource planning and workflow optimization initiatives

• Build internal Legal knowledge management processes and capabilities

• Assist in managing Legal risks to the Company and use financial transparency to help internal clients understand cost and risk factors with legal consequences

• Ensure communication within the Legal Department, including organization of Legal meetings and management of action items

• Develop performance metrics and dashboards

• Ensure implementation and effectiveness of training programs and self-service tools for internal clients

• Use expertise in finance and consulting to manage engagement of and relationships, spend and billing with outside counsel, e-Discovery and other Legal Department vendors, including development of cost and performance related KPIs and cost-efficient billing solutions

• Partner with Finance and Accounting regarding Legal Department budgeting, forecasting and accruals

• Assist in the development of and adherence to the Legal Department budget

• Create a technology investment plan and roadmap to drive the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department

Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree

• JD degree

• 5-7 years relevant legal experience

Required:

• Strong leadership, negotiation, communication and planning skills

• Highly ethical and will be seen as such

• Strong managerial skills of employees of varied degrees of skills and employee development

• Proven budget management skills

• Ability to work within a matrixed environment

• Must be licensed in New York State or have the ability to become licensed in the state within one year of starting work for Saab

• Must be currently licensed to practice law in a US state or territory

Preferred :

• Minimum 5-7 years of legal experience, preferably with legal operations and project management experience within a large organization (international organization would be preferable)

• Ability to give strong, accurate counsel to business executives

• Strong financial acumen and excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills

• Demonstrated experience building, running, and managing Legal programs, projects, and processes

• Demonstrated ability to move various projects forward by gaining support from others and working collaboratively with cross-functional groups to set objectives, drive progress, and produce meaningful results

• Strong experience in technology change management, project management, business process management, and system implementation

• Excellent organization and planning skills

• Candidates with an MBA degree also will be given preference

Must be a Must be a U.S. citizen, Permanent Resident (green card holder), or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

As a condition of employment, candidates will be required to participate in a background check that will include, at a minimum, a criminal record check, education and employment verification.

About Us:

Saab is a global defense and security company operating in the fields of air, land and naval defense, civil security and commercial aeronautics. We number approximately 17,000 employees and have operations on all continents. Technologically we are leaders in many areas, and one-fifth of our earnings are spent on research and development.

Saab is a company where we see diversity as an asset and offer unlimited opportunities for advancing in your career. We are also a company that respects each person’s needs and encourage employees to lead a balanced, rewarding life beyond work. Saab values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran, disability status, or any other federal, state, or locally protected category.