Job Description
WHAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY?The Team Lead of External Counsel Management will oversee RBC's global external counsel management program and drive operational excellence across all aspects of law firm engagement.The Team Lead will lead a team responsible for four core pillars: financial governance, relationship management, documentation, and risk management and helps ensure law firms are managed as strategic partners. This role works closely with Procurement, Risk, and Finance to ensure that external legal spend and law firm relationships are optimized, transparent, and aligned with the bank's risk appetite and business objectives.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?1. Financial Governance
Establish and maintain financial governance frameworks for global law firm spend, including rate structures, alternative fee arrangements (AFAs) and cost saving initiatives.
Oversee programmatic invoice review, approval processes, and spend analytics to ensure accuracy, compliance, and value realization.
Partner with Finance and Procurement to support forecasting, reporting, and cost-containment initiatives.
Drive continuous improvement in pricing discipline and value-based engagement models.
Serve as the operational owner of the bank's global law firm relationships, supporting relationship strategy in partnership with Legal leadership.
Lead performance management programs, including scorecards, KPIs, and periodic reviews.
Support law firm panel selection, onboarding, and offboarding processes.
• Act as a point of escalation for operational issues involving external counsel.
Own and maintain standard documentation governing external counsel engagements, including external counsel manual, engagement letter templates, and billing protocols.
Ensure documentation is consistently applied, current, and aligned with regulatory, legal, and operational requirements.
Oversee risk controls related to law firm engagement, including conflicts, confidentiality, data security, and regulatory compliance.
Partner with Third-Party Risk Management teams to support due diligence, audits, and ongoing monitoring.
Identify and mitigate operational and reputational risks associated with external counsel management globally.
Lead, coach, and develop a team of external counsel management professionals.
Drive cross-functional initiatives that improve scalability, consistency, and transparency across the external counsel lifecycle.
• Leverage legal technology and data to enhance reporting, controls, and decision-making.
Must have:
Bachelor's degree in any field
8+ years of experience in legal operations, external counsel management, procurement, or a related field
Demonstrated experience managing law firm relationships and legal spend at scale
Strong understanding of financial governance and third-party oversight
Proven people leadership experience, including building and developing teams
Strong stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills
:
LLB, MBA, JD or equivalent advanced degree
Experience with in a financial institution or other highly regulated environment
Experience with global or multi-jurisdictional law firm programs
Strong understanding of risk management practices
Experience with legal spend management and matter management technologies (e.g., e-billing platforms, legal project management tools)
Familiarity with alternative fee arrangements (AFAs) and pricing models in legal services
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 managing opportunities
Ability to make a difference and lasting impact
Work in a dynamic,…
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