Legal Operations Manager

Written By Ingrid Nordskog

Accion International

Location: Washington, DC

The Legal Operations Manager will assist the General Counsel and Legal Team with the operations of the Legal Department, which also includes the Compliance and Risk functions within Accion and its affiliated entities.

Position Responsibilities

The Legal Operations Manager will assist with contract management, Registered Investment Adviser compliance, investment fund maintenance, risk assessments, Board materials, project management and general business and administrative duties in connection with matters arising from Accion’s program, operations, and investment teams. The Legal Operations Manager will identify and drive efficiencies by assisting with the development of policies, procedures, and systems within the Legal Department. The Legal Operations Manager will support the implementation, use, and further development of legal project management and knowledge management tools and resources and will help to integrate legal project management techniques into the culture of Accion. Although reporting to the General Counsel, the Legal Operations Manager must be capable of working independently and managing complex projects simultaneously.

  • Lead project management of Legal Department initiatives as well as enhancement of existing processes through application of formal project management, such as contract management, records management, and legal vendor management

  • Effectively control all aspects of a project from initial planning through final production; develop project plans; balance overall stakeholder requirements; develop relationships; and review and report financial information in a timely manner to ensure deadlines are consistently met

  • Prepare, review and/or revise scope, resourcing, and budget proposals and statements of work for relevant legal matters, workstreams and vendors (outside counsel and legal, compliance and risk vendors) and track performance

  • Prepare and recommend terms for contracts and Accion templates to align with best practices, applicable legal requirements, feedback from internal and external stakeholders, and other relevant considerations

  • Prepare and generate initial drafts of routine contracts, fund documents, Secretary’s certificates, tax and corporate filings, charitable solicitation registrations, and related artifacts

  • Prepare initial drafts of routine grant agreements, amendments, extensions, transfers, terminations, and memoranda of understanding, as well as summary analysis of agreement deal terms

  • Manage the process to collect information (e.g., due diligence requests) and prepare documentation

  • Manage third party compliance screening platform and search function

  • Oversee Accion’s list of disqualified persons, restricted entities list, Conflict of Interest log and other related corporate housekeeping activities

  • Support updates to legal and compliance related policies, procedures, and training

  • Review communications content (including use of name/logo) for accuracy and alignment with Accion’s branding policies and review trademark watch notices

  • Oversee the process for ensuring the execution of contracts and electronically filing and maintaining all final, executed documents

  • Help develop a legal technology roadmap for project management, contracts management, e-signature, compliance management, and other internal resources

  • Liaise with IT Department on identifying, implementing, integrating, and optimizing applications and tools, and building internal tools, workflows, and automation capabilities

  • Undertake miscellaneous research projects, including legal and compliance research, and draft and proofread miscellaneous legal documents as needed

  • Maintain a straightforward and efficient system of both hard and soft files for the Legal Department

  • Function as a key records liaison, contributor, and point-person for the Legal Department; establish and maintain appropriate Accion operational records in appropriate print and digital formats, paying particular attention to key and confidential documents and record retention policies; promote information management best practices within the Legal Department

  • Facilitate a culture of continuous improvement through strong team interactions, forging relationships with other departments and stakeholders, being comfortable accepting and providing constructive feedback, and a personal commitment to quality, innovation, and follow through

  • Help manage the Legal Department’s annual goals, objectives, key results, and other metrics and reporting

  • Provide administrative support to the General Counsel, including but not limited to meeting organization, office space management, travel coordination, legal training development and legal budget management.

Position Qualifications

  • Degree from an accredited 4-Year College or University

  • At least 8 years of experience at a major law firm, in-house at a multinational financial services company (Legal or Compliance) or non-profit organization similar to Accion

  • Washington, DC or New York Notary Public qualification a plus

  • Proficiency in multiple languages a plus

  • Certifications, such as Paralegal, Privacy, Project Management, also a plus

  • Ability to lead execution of defined strategy, meet deadlines and work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands and a minimum of direct supervision

  • Self-directed, organized, and capable of handling multiple, complex projects, while advising Legal Department attorneys of status, identifying risks and escalating appropriately

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail and strong proofreading ability

  • Experience demonstrating ability to work independently, to take initiative and to ask questions when necessary; ability to conceptualize and manage complex projects while engaging internal and external resources to achieve desired results

  • Ability to work on projects requiring a high level of discretion and confidentiality

  • A solid understanding of database design and management, data processing activities and legal document review requirements

  • Excellent computer skills and experience with document management systems, project extranets, databases, collaboration portals, G Suite, SharePoint, Smartsheet, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, Excel, and PowerPoint

  • Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate with a cross-functional team of internal and external stakeholders

  • Excellent at multi-tasking with a positive, can-do attitude

  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including additional hours as needed

  • Interested in our mission and working globally.

  • Willingness to embody our values of excellence, respect and passion for social change.

Ingrid Nordskog
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