Legal Operations Lead

We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it. ​Role Summary: ​This role combines senior-level paralegal execution with legal operations leadership, supporting the CARIAD Legal team’s efficiency, adherence to SLAs, compliance posture, and operational excellence. The position operates as a senior individual contributor, partnering closely with legal leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to lead day-to-day legal operations, drive process improvements, and ensure consistent, high-quality legal support across the organization. Role Responsibilities: ​Legal Operations Management (55%) Own, maintain and continuously optimize legal processes, workflows, and tools to improve efficiency, consistency, and visibility. Own and administer legal technology platforms (e.g. Ironclad, Streamline, Legora), ensuring data integrity and leading vendor coordination. When required, represent Legal on cross-functional calls and initiatives related to legal operations, leveraging familiarity with legal matters, established policies, and outstanding items. Support departmental budgeting and forecasting, including outside counsel spend and vendor cost tracking. Lead functional-level legal operations initiatives, serving as the Legal team’s subject matter expert to drive adoption, consistency, and data integrity across processes and tools. Senior Paralegal Support (45%) Draft, review, and manage a broad range of contracts and legal documents, coordinating with counsel and stakeholders throughout the negotiation lifecycle. Act as a key liaison between Legal and business teams, ensuring clear communication and alignment on priorities. Support legal leadership with ad hoc projects and operational initiatives, including corporate governance and compliance activities. Coordinate with internal and external counsel on active matters. Maintain accurate legal records and information across internal systems. ​General Skills: Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities. High attention to detail and accuracy in managing legal data, internal records, and matter information across systems. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders. Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion. Ability to independently identify process gaps, recommend, and implement operational improvements. ​Required Specialized Skills: Legal operations management, including triage, assignment, and tracking of requests. Leading contract lifecycle management (intake, review coordination, execution, and renewal tracking). Administering and owning legal technology tools, with a strong preference for tools currently in use by CARIAD Legal (e.g. Ironclad, Streamline, Legora). Corporate governance support, including supporting ongoing compliance initiatives. ​Desired Skills: ​Familiarity with supporting legal matters in regulated industries (e.g. automotive, technology) ​Workplace Flexibility: ​May require occasional travel and flexible hours ​Years of Relevant Experience: ​8+ years of relevant experience in legal operations and/or paralegal roles within an in-house legal department or law firm. Demonstrated experience operating as a senior individual contributor, independently determining approaches within established legal and business frameworks. ​Required Education: ​Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience ​Desired Education: ​Paralegal certification or advanced legal operations training.

Compensation

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training. The salary range for this position is $138,978.00 - $180,353.00. CARIAD, Inc. provides performance based merits and annual bonus along with a competitive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match and defined contribution plan, short and long term disability, basic life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment plans, maternity and non-primary caregiver leave, adoption assistance, employee referral program and vacation and paid holidays. We also offer a unique vehicle lease program that covers registration and insurance fees. CARIAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws. Employment with Cariad Inc. is contingent upon the successful completion of this screening process. We emphasize the importance of compliance with export control and sanctions laws as a fundamental aspect of our operations. Our company is dedicated to adhering to these regulations to ensure the lawful and ethical conduct of our business activities. Employment with our company is contingent on either verifying U.S. citizenship or U.S. lawful permanent resident status or obtaining any necessary license or confirming the availability of an applicable exemption or license exception. You, the applicant, will be required to answer certain questions for export control purposes, and that information will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law. Cariad Inc. may choose not to apply for a license or use an applicable license exception (if available) for such individuals whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code may require authorization and may decline to proceed with an applicant on that basis alone. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree to participate in the export control and sanctions compliance screening process. Your cooperation in this matter is essential to our shared success and the integrity of our operations. Thank you for your understanding and commitment to upholding these important standards. Apply To This Job