AVP, Legal Affairs Innovation Project Manager

The Opportunity

Position: AVP, GLA Innovation & Transformation Project Manager

Location: 200 Park Ave

Setting: Hybrid

Reports to: VP, Legal Affairs Operations & Chief of Staff

Key Responsibilities

• Drive strategy execution by leading the planning and delivery of Global Government and Legal Affairs’ highest-priority initiatives, ensuring alignment with Legal and enterprise objectives.
• Own the Legal AI and innovation portfolio, including development, implementation, governance, and vendor procurement of AI-enabled legal solutions.
• Leverage AI, automation, and process optimization to improve efficiency and outcomes in large-scale workflow transformation efforts across the global Legal organization.
• Establish and manage the Legal Department’s knowledge management program, enabling scalable access to institutional knowledge, best practices, and legal insights.
• Provide program and project management leadership for complex, cross-functional initiatives, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and with measurable impact.
• Serve as a key advisor to Legal leadership, translating operational, financial, and technology data into clear, actionable insights for executive decision-making.
• Influence and lead in a matrixed environment by building strong stakeholder relationships, motivating teams, and driving results without direct authority.

Required Qualifications

• AI fluency, specific to legal tools and processes
• Excellent presentation and communication skills with ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels of responsibility and authority
• Critical thinking with an ability to understand and represent strategic objectives
• Comfort dealing with ambiguity and the ability to work independently
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities, including problem structuring, analysis, and ability to translate information into insights, drive actionable implications, and formulate recommendations
• Solution-oriented with an ability to effectively drive prompt decisions
• Ability to learn fast and perform well under pressure with quick turnaround time
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships
• Ability to motivate and empower others to work towards the organization's goals
• Direct and Matrix team building
• Influencing skills working with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong financial and business acumen, familiar with leading initiatives dependent on technology and corporate functions
• Effective time management and strong organizational skills with ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience with portfolio, program, or project management

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• MBA or JD is a significant plus
• 10+ years of professional experience, with a strong background in Legal Operations, Strategy, or Management Consulting in a high-growth environment
• Fluency with legal technology and AI/automation
• A pragmatic, "get it done" attitude
• The ability to navigate ambiguity, represent the head of Legal Operations and CLO in executive forums, and prioritize the tasks that provide the most value to the department
• Exceptional ability to translate operational data into clear, concise updates for the GC and executive leadership

About MetLife

MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we’re inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it’s #AllTogetherPossible. Join us!

Benefits

We Offer Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!