Senior Director of External Counsel Job New York New York USA,Management

Location: New York

Job Description

The Senior Director of External Counsel Management will lead RBC's enterprise-wide external counsel management program. This senior role will drive organizational transformation of how RBC manages external legal resources, to further position external law firms as strategic partners that deliver measurable business value while maintaining rigorous risk and financial discipline.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO SUCCEED?

Enterprise Financial Governance & Strategic Sourcing
Design and oversee sophisticated financial governance frameworks for global law firm spend, including rate structures, alternative fee arrangements (AFAs), performance-based models, and competitive procurement strategies
Establish enterprise-wide spend analytics and business intelligence capabilities to drive cost optimization and value realization
Work alongside procurement team to lead strategic negotiations with major law firms on pricing, capacity planning, and service-level agreements
Partner with other functional partners to influence forecasting methodologies, executive reporting, and ROI measurement for external legal spend
Champion continuous innovation in pricing discipline, value-based engagement models, and legal service delivery optimization
Strategic Relationship & Portfolio Management
Own the enterprise law firm relationship strategy in close collaboration with the Global Head of Litigation and Chief Operating Officer for Law Group, as well as the VP, CLAO Group Shared Services & Enterprise Legal Advisory, and other senior leadership
Establish governance frameworks for law firm performance measurement, including balanced scorecards, KPIs, benchmarking, qualitative evaluations and strategic reviews
Lead law firm panel optimization, succession planning, and strategic partnerships
Manage escalation processes for complex operational or relationship issues
Documentation, Standards & Governance
Establish and maintain comprehensive governance documentation for external counsel engagements, including external counsel manuals, engagement letter frameworks, billing protocols, and compliance requirements
Ensure global consistency and alignment with regulatory expectations, internal policies, and operational best practices
Drive adoption of standards across the organization and serve as the subject matter expert for external counsel governance matters
Periodically audit and refresh documentation to reflect evolving regulatory requirements and market practices
Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance Oversight
Lead the third-party risk management program for external counsel, to establish risk assessment frameworks and ongoing monitoring mechanisms
Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, compliance, and reputational risks associated with global external counsel management
Ensure alignment with enterprise risk management expectations and emerging regulatory trends affecting legal service delivery
Leadership & Organizational Development
Lead, mentor, and strategically develop a team, fostering a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement
Drive initiatives that enhance scalability, consistency, transparency, and maturity across the external counsel lifecycle
Employ legal technology solutions, data analytics, and automation to enhance reporting, controls, risk visibility, and decision-making
Serve as a thought leader within the organization on legal operations and external counsel management best practices

Must have:

Bachelor's degree in any field
15+ years of progressively senior experience in legal operations, external counsel management, procurement, enterprise risk management, or a related field
Demonstrated experience managing law firm relationships and enterprise-level legal spend at significant scale
Proven leadership experience, including building, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams
Strategic stakeholder management experience at senior organizational levels (C-suite, Board, or equivalent)
Strong track record of driving organizational transformation and implementing large-scale process improvements
In-depth knowledge of alternative fee arrangements, legal service delivery models, and pricing innovation
Deep understanding of financial governance, enterprise risk management, and third-party oversight in regulated environments

Nice to have:

JD, LLB, MBA, or equivalent advanced degree
Extensive experience within a financial institution or other highly regulated environment (banking, insurance, asset management)
Proven experience leading global, multi-jurisdictional law firm programs across multiple time zones and legal systems
Advanced expertise in enterprise risk management and compliance frameworks
Demonstrated success implementing legal spend management platforms, matter management systems, and analytics capabilities

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses and flexible benefits, competitive compensation, commissions, and stock where applicable
Leaders who support your development through coaching and…