[Remote] Lead, Legal & IP Legal Operations

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Astellas Pharma is a global pharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative therapies for patients. They are seeking a Lead for Legal and IP Business Operations to provide strategic execution and operational planning for the Legal and IP functions, ensuring alignment with enterprise processes and driving efficiency across the divisions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the operational lead and execution partner to Legal and IP leadership, translating strategic priorities into coordinated business operations
• Align Legal and IP operating plans with CoS Office goals supporting Legal, IP, Ethics & Compliance, and Quality Assurance
• Drive process standardization, efficiency improvements, and enterprise-level operational consistency across legal support functions
• Develop, monitor operational KPIs that support performance transparency & continuous improvement
• Lead global outside counsel and vendor operations, including firm onboarding/offboarding, scope and rate negotiation, and adherence to outside counsel guidelines
• Manage preferred provider governance, performance metrics, and firm-level compliance
• Implement operational frameworks that optimize law firm engagement, enhance value, and reduce variability in spend and process
• Collaborate with Procurement, Legal, IP to enforce vendor governance & automate key workflows
• Oversee Legal and IP headcount planning, including FTE tracking, hiring plan alignment, and payroll budget management
• Own the Legal and IP financial planning cycle, including budget development, quarterly forecasting, variance tracking, and cost performance analysis
• Conduct deep analysis of spend at the matter, firm, and category level to inform cost control, forecasting accuracy, and strategic resource allocation
• Partner with Finance to ensure clear reporting, forecast reliability, and alignment to corporate financial governance
• Lead the execution of cross-functional initiatives focused on operational transformation, tooling implementation, and department-wide efficiencies
• Define objectives, timelines, and outcomes; manage stakeholder engagement; ensure sustainable adoption and measurable value
• Support strategic planning cycles, road mapping, and OKR/goal development in partnership with Legal and IP leadership
• Ensure Legal and IP are supported by an effective, scalable, and cost-efficient technology toolset, including matter management and spend systems that support business needs
• Coordinate with CoS solutions team leads and, as needed, with Finance, HR, and Procurement to ensure alignment of Legal and IP budgets, workforce planning, and vendor operations with enterprise processes and standards
• Represent Legal and IP in governance forums focused on financial performance, operational risk, and enterprise alignment
• Support organizational design, workforce planning, and operational oversight in collaboration with internal and enterprise stakeholders

Skills

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Strong analytical, strategic, and project management capabilities
• Experience in Legal Operations in an in-house legal department with a focus on resource management
• Deep knowledge, experience with law department matter management & e-billing technologies
• Solid understanding of different types of legal matters
• Strong data analytic skills and proficient use of Excel & other Microsoft applications
• Excellent communication (written/oral) skills, strong presentation & executive presence
• Strong leadership and planning skills
• Ability to manage large workload, focus on critical priorities and effectively meet client needs
• Ability to produce high quality work under deadline pressures
• Team player and able to build relationships both internally and externally
• Detail oriented, self-motivated and able to motivate others
• A strong commitment to integrity and professionalism and demonstrated passion for excellence
• Experience working in a major law firm

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time, plus national holidays including Heritage Days, and Summer and Winter Breaks
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program

Company Overview

• Astellas Pharma is a global pharmaceutical research & development company. It was founded in 2005, and is headquartered in Tokyo, Tokyo, JPN, with a workforce of 10001+ employees. Its website is http://www.astellas.com.

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