Gusto

Legal Operations Manager

Gusto$133K — $160K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of legal operations experience in a high-growth tech environment
  • Expertise in legal tooling-selection and implementation
  • Experience with AI and technology in legal operations
  • Hands-on experience with AI-assisted legal tools and automated workflows
  • Skills in managing outside counsel and legal spend
  • Ability to build metrics and reporting frameworks
  • Exceptional communication skills for stakeholder influence
  • A builder's mindset with proven process improvement success

Responsibilities

  • Drive the operational strategy of the Legal & Compliance team
  • Maintain and optimize an AI driven tech stack
  • Collaborate with Finance and Legal leadership on budgeting
  • Own planning cycles, OKRs, and data reporting
  • Manage relationships with outside counsel and invoicing
  • Build and maintain knowledge management platforms
  • Run daily operations to enhance team efficiency
  • Represent Gusto in the Legal Operations community

Benefits

  • Work hybrid in vibrant office locations in Denver and San Francisco
  • Opportunity to influence and implement groundbreaking AI technology
  • Collaborative environment that values each team member as an owner
  • Engage in continuous learning and development programs
  • Be part of a mission-driven team focused on innovative solutions for small business owners
Full Job Description
About the Role:

We are seeking a hands-on Legal Operations Manager to join the Legal & Compliance team . In this role, you will own the systems, tools, and processes that enable our Legal & Compliance teams to build and scale and be at the forefront of driving AI solutions for the teams. You will report to the Head of Legal Employment, Litigation & Legal Operations working cross functionally as a true strategic partner to the team.

If you're energized by building things that last, experimenting with emerging technology, and redefining what an in-house legal team can achieve, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

About the Team:

Gusto's Legal & Compliance team partners with product teams to enable innovation, facilitate responsible company growth, accelerate the Gusto roadmap, and provide compliant products to our customers, through solution-focused counsel on legal and business risks. We are passionate about using groundbreaking technology and excellent service to elevate the experience of small business owners and their employees. Each team member is a true owner and makes a tremendous impact every day.

Here's what you'll do day-to-day:
  • Drive the Legal & Compliance team's operational strategy, understand operational challenges, identify opportunities to improve systems and workflows
  • Maintain and optimize a best in class AI driven tech stack. Partner cross functionally with AI and Contract Operations to identify technologies, negotiate with vendors, and drive implementation.
  • Partner closely with Finance and Legal leadership to manage budget, forecasting, accruals, and track spend
  • Working closely with leadership, own planning cycles, OKRs, and data reporting and metrics
  • Manage outside counsel relationships, including new engagements, billing guidelines invoicing, and e-billing. Drive outside counsel management strategy with a focus on cost discipline and operational accountability
  • Build and maintain knowledge management platforms and learning and development programs that keep the team current and operating effectively.
  • Run the day-to-day operations of the Legal & Compliance team, driving efficiencies that enable the team to perform its best work. (e.g. manage vendors, attorney memberships, internal practice guidelines, expenses, team meetings)
  • Represent Gusto within the Legal Operations community, staying current on emerging technologies and best practices.

Here's what you'll need for this role:
  • 5+ years of legal operations experience at a high-growth technology company
  • Hands on expertise with legal tooling-selection, implementation, and day-to-day operation (CLM, e-billing, matter management, procurement systems)
  • Experience implementing AI and technology within legal operations
  • Hands-on experience with AI-assisted legal tools and a fluency (or path to fluency) in agentic / automated legal workflows (e.g. Claude CoWork)
  • Experience engaging and managing outside counsel, legal spend, budgeting, and program management
  • Proven ability to build and maintain metrics and reporting frameworks, including operational KPIs
  • Exceptional communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders across Legal, Finance, IT, Security, and Procurement
  • A builder's mindset - demonstrated success building and improving processes, not just running them, with measurable results

Here's what we'd love to see you bring to the table:
  • Legal Operations community involvement (CLOC, Legal Suite)
  • Experience at a SaaS or otherwise high-velocity technology company
  • Creative problem-solving skills and the confidence to take smart risks
  • Energy, curiosity, and a drive to be part of something groundbreaking
  • A team-first approach, with no job too big or too small

Our cash compensation amount for this role is $133,000-$160,000 in San Francisco and $113,000-$139,000 in Denver. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate location, experience and expertise and may vary from the amounts listed above.

Gusto has physical office spaces in Denver, San Francisco, and New York City. Employees who are based in those locations will be expected to work from the office on designated days approximately 2-3 days per week (or more depending on role). The same office expectations apply to all Symmetry roles, Gusto's subsidiary, whose physical office is in Scottsdale.

Note: The San Francisco office expectations encompass both the San Francisco and San Jose metro areas.

When approved to work from a location other than a Gusto office, a secure, reliable, and consistent internet connection is required. This includes non-office days for hybrid employees.

About Gusto

Gusto is a cloud-based human resources software platform that provides payroll, benefits, and HR management services to small businesses. The company was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Gusto's platform automates many of the administrative tasks associated with HR, such as payroll processing, tax filings, and benefits administration. The company also offers a range of HR services, including compliance support, employee onboarding, and time tracking. Gusto is committed to helping small businesses succeed by providing them with the tools and resources they need to manage their HR operations more efficiently.
Learn more about Gusto
Size
1,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2012

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Gusto

More Legal & Accounting Jobs

Find similar Legal Operations Manager jobs: