Senior Legal Operations Administrator

Job Type Full-timeDescriptionMulti-State | Corporate Legal & Finance Support About Us At Swickard Automotive Group, we're a hospitality company that happens to sell cars. With operations across the West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii, we focus on building systems that scale integrity, consistency, and care-for our guests and for our people.Our legal and finance teams play a critical role in protecting the business, enabling growth, and supporting leaders with clarity and confidence. We believe hospitality starts internally, and strong operations make that possible.Position Summary The Senior Manager of Legal Operations serves as the operational leader of Swickard's legal department, providing comprehensive management of litigation, outside counsel relationships, and legal support staff across our locations in six states.This role requires a proactive, highly organized professional who can autonomously manage complex legal matters, implement efficient legal operations systems, and lead the legal team with strategic thinking and strong decision-making.In addition, this position provides targeted Chief of Staff support to the CFO, supporting key projects and initiatives that intersect legal, finance, and enterprise operations.Key ResponsibilitiesLegal Operations & Litigation ManagementOversee and manage all active litigation matters across Swickard's multi-state operationsMaintain comprehensive litigation tracking systems, timelines, and documentationEnsure timely resolution of matters while proactively managing risk exposureCoordinate responses to subpoenas, discovery requests, regulatory inquiries, and compliance matters across CA, NV, OR, WA, HI, and AKConduct legal research, draft correspondence, prepare legal documents, and coordinate filings as neededOutside Counsel & Budget ManagementServe as the primary liaison with outside counsel firmsManage relationships, coordinate legal strategies, and negotiate fee arrangementsMonitor legal budgets and ensure cost-effective delivery of legal servicesDevelop and maintain the outside counsel panel, evaluating firm performance and service consistencyTeam Leadership & Internal CollaborationLead legal support staff, including paralegals and legal assistantsProvide direction, training, performance management, and professional developmentCollaborate proactively with HR, dealership leadership, OEM partners, finance, operations, and other departmentsIdentify emerging legal issues and develop business-aligned legal strategiesRisk, Reporting & GovernanceProactively identify legal risks across the organization and escalate appropriatelyRecommend practical, business-focused solutionsCreate and deliver litigation status reports, budget updates, and risk assessments to executive leadershipEstablish and enforce legal department policies, procedures, and best practicesCFO Support & Special ProjectsProvide direct support to the CFO on projects intersecting legal and financeSupport contract management, vendor negotiations, and compliance mattersDevelop meeting agendas, capture detailed minutes, and drive action-item accountabilityPrepare briefing materials, executive summaries, and decision documentsLead special projects requiring legal expertise or cross-functional coordinationSupport ad hoc CFO requests involving research, analysis, or project coordinationQualificationsEducation & ExperienceBachelor's degree requiredParalegal Certificate strongly preferred7+ years of progressive legal experienceAt least 4 years in litigation management or legal operations3+ years managing teams or leading legal departments/functionsSkills & CapabilitiesDemonstrated success managing multiple complex litigation matters with competing deadlinesExceptional organizational and project management skillsProven ability to implement systems and drive process improvementsStrong business acumen with the ability to balance legal requirements and operational realitiesExcellent written and verbal communication skills with executive presenceAbility to clearly communicate complex legal matters to non-legal audiencesProficiency with legal matter management systems, e-discovery platforms, and Microsoft Office SuiteAbility to work autonomously, make sound decisions under pressure, and drive resultsPreferred ExperienceMulti-state or multi-location legal experienceExperience managing outside counsel relationships and legal budgetsAutomotive, retail, hospitality, or franchise industry experience a plusSuccess ProfileThis role is ideal for a senior paralegal or legal operations professional who thrives on high-volume litigation management, enjoys building systems and leading teams, and wants to be the operational backbone of a legal department.Success requires strong attention to detail combined with strategic thinking, the confidence to manage difficult situations and demanding outside counsel, and the judgment to know when to escalate and when to resolve independently.The ideal candidate brings both "get it done" execution skills and the leadership presence to represent the legal function across the organization.Why This Role MattersThis role is the operational engine of the legal function-balancing risk, execution, leadership, and partnership with finance. If you like ownership, structure, and impact, this role delivers all three.

Created: 2026-04-02