Senior Director, Legal Operations

Job ID: 7322

Business Unit: MABSTOA

Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Department: Torts

Date Posted: May 8, 2024

Description

Job Information

Senior Director, Legal Operations

Open Date: 5/8/2024

Close Date: Open Until Filled

Authority: MABSTOA

Department: Law

Division/Unit: Torts

Reports to: Deputy Unit Chief-Torts

Work Location: 130 Livingston Street, Brooklyn NY

Work Hours: As required

This position is eligible for telework which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Compensation:

Salary Range: $155,000 – $175,000 (Grade A / 954 hay points)

Summary:

The Senior Director, Legal operation key responsibilities will include defining the Torts’ operational strategy (according to guidance from Unit Chief), leading the related projects, and facilitating change management initiatives to implement these activities. This includes supporting employees in adopting new processes.

Responsibilities:

• Support leadership to define and implement an operational strategy for the Torts Unit to effectively manage the growing number of claims. Deliver operational initiatives to manage claims with a total cost impact of approximately $150 million while trying to drive down costs. Create data metrics that will help inform strategies and identify best practices/approach to improve processes. Also, prepare data analysis, reports, and recommendations related to the functions of the Torts Unit.

• Install new strategic settlement process to enable better financial outcomes across all Torts claims. Create, track, and monitor departmental settlement guidelines for claims so that attorneys can make consistent and most advantageous decisions. Support analysis of high-exposure matters.

• Manage outside counsel vendor panel contracts, including performance tracking, assignment methodology for cases, and enforcing reporting and other retainer requirements. This requires exceptional organization and processes to track outcomes across all Torts cases.

• Manage claim intake for Torts to support pre-litigation attorneys. Responsibilities include overseeing claims managers in investigations to ensure attorneys have necessary information. This responsibility is critical to effective litigation and resolution of claims, where appropriate.

• Identify projects with impact on Tort Unit operations (e.g., new settlement processes, new strategies to facilitate claim intake and oversight); manage engagement with other internal and external stakeholders (e.g., HR, Finance, Risk Management, vendors, attorneys)

• Lead change management internally to support new Tort Unit priorities and processes at moment of significant internal change. Lead communication with line staff, new program rollout, broader training and enablement. Bring processes in line with industry best practices.

• Lead the configuration, deployment and maximization of new case management software and other digital tools, including related processes and procedures. Digital transformation of primarily analog department will require judgment and analysis of best practices. Collaborate with IT on software implementation.

• Manage support and administrative staff, with responsibility for improving productivity of business processes.

• Select, develop and motivate non-legal personnel within the Torts department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. in coordination with Labor Relations and the People departments. Review performance of staff. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.

  Education and Experience:

  A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and minimum if ten (10) years related experience, including at least 4 years in a department head and/or managerial and/or leadership role in a large, multi-faceted, fast paced organization or government body preferred.

  Desired Skills:

• Excellent quantitative reasoning and analytical judgment

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and/or external stakeholders.

• Must have strong managerial skills to effectively direct a staff of professional and technical employees in implementing the short- and long-term goals and direction for personal injury and property damage resolution.

• Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.

• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

  Other Information:

  Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

  Equal Employment Opportunity:

  MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities. The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military