Senior Manager - Legal Affairs

Snipebridge, a strategic talent solutions company specializing in connecting exceptional talent to great career opportunities in the Architecture & Planning industry, is seeking a Senior Legal Affairs Manager.

Our client is a prominent design firm known for its transformative work across a variety of sectors, including residential, commercial, and cultural projects. The firm prioritizes sustainability and innovation, aiming to create inspiring environments that positively impact communities.

Position Description

The Senior Manager Legal Affairs will oversee the firm's legal operations with a strong focus on contracts management, risk mitigation, and policy compliance. This role serves as a strategic partner across departments while remaining hands-on in contract drafting, negotiation, and review. This role is expected to lead cross-functional legal initiatives and collaborate closely with executive leadership on critical firm-wide matters.

Primary Responsibilities :

Contract Management & Negotiation

• Oversees and leads the legal affairs department on all contract administration tasks, including initiation, tracking, writing, reviewing, and revising various documents and agreements.
• Researches and implements contract management solutions, including insurance tracking and electronic signature integration. Provides leadership in developing efficient contracting processes and templates.
• Directly engages with clients, consultants, and their legal representatives during negotiations.
• Collaborates with external legal counsel and internal departments to assess the need for new agreements or amendments.
• Stays updated on relevant laws and trends to update contracts and legal templates, providing recommendations for revisions as needed.
  

Insurance Renewals & Risk Management

• Manages firm-wide insurance renewal process and acts as the primary point of contact for insurance matters.
• Conducts detailed review of current insurance policies to assess coverage, limits, and terms, identifying necessary adjustments to align with changing business needs.
• Prepares thorough documentation and submissions for insurance renewals. Maintains organized records of insurance policies, renewals, program updates, and relevant correspondence.
• Coordinates premium payments and liaises with the finance department to ensure timely processing.
  

Corporate Governance, Compliance, Licensing and Business Registrations

• Leads the development, revision, and adherence of organizational policies and procedures to relevant laws and regulations. Ensures legal review of firm communications, contracts, documents, and filings.

• Manages and monitors the firm's state registrations and business license obligations. Keeps leadership informed of changes in laws and regulations affecting licensure and reporting requirements, proposing compliance solutions and best practices.
• Under the CEO's direction, manages corporate governance matters, including drafting shareholder buy/sell agreements, corporate by-laws, minutes books, and corporate resolutions.
  

General Legal Counsel and Leadership

• Leads the development, revision, and compliance of the firm's legal policies and procedures in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. Aids in safeguarding the firm's legal interests and upholding its operations with integrity and stewardship.
• Identifies and analyzes legal issues, drafts essential documents, and presents clear recommendations and options to leadership to ensure legal compliance.
• Under the COO's supervision, manages the implementation of a Records Management and Records retention program. Oversees the work of external counsel to address legal matters and claims promptly and effectively.
  

Education/Skills/Experience:

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school
• 10+ years of relevant work experience with contract administration (familiarity with AIA documents and contracts is a plus).
• Communicates effectively verbally and in writing, demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of internal and external "clients" and vendors to successfully impact decision-making.
• Experience with Insurance renewals and commercial insurance including a strong understanding of professional liability policies and the ability to work with external insurance providers and underwriters.
• Experience negotiating contracts/agreements, international experience is a plus.
• Experience leading and directing a team of professionals to achieve department and firm goals.
• Intermediate user of Outlook, Word, and Excel preferred
• Superb customer support skills, ensuring positive internal and external client relations when drafting and negotiating agreements.
• Efficiently handles a diverse range of tasks, assignments, and priorities in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines, while maintaining a high level of discretion with confidential information.
• Exhibits good decision-making skills in resolving conflict or differences that arise in negotiating new or existing agreements.
• Consistently fosters a culture of collaboration by actively engaging with the team sharing knowledge, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness, creativity, and success of the team.

Requirements

We welcome applications from individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship, and who already hold long-term work authorization.