Global External Counsel Strategy Director

RBC; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 200,000 - 340,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Flexible benefits

Stock options

Training program

Flexible work-life balance

Job summary

RBC is seeking a Senior Director of External Counsel Management in Jersey City to lead an enterprise-wide program transforming how external law firms are managed as strategic partners. The role oversees governance, analytics, negotiations, and risk controls to optimize spend and ensure regulatory alignment.

The position reports to senior leaders, drives four pillars of governance, and leads a high-performing team focused on scalable processes, data analytics, and legal service delivery

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise-wide external counsel management program across four pillars: financial governance, relationship management, documentation standards, and enterprise risk management.
• Drive cost optimization through spend analytics and strategic negotiations with major law firms.
• Establish governance frameworks for law firm performance measurement and documentation standards.
• Lead third-party risk management for external counsel and ensure alignment with regulatory expectations.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing team and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Financial governance

Strategic sourcing

Negotiations

Relationship management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree

JD/LLB/MBA

Job description

RBC is seeking a Senior Director of External Counsel Management in Jersey City to lead an enterprise-wide program transforming how external law firms are managed as strategic partners. The role oversees governance, analytics, negotiations, and risk controls to optimize spend and ensure regulatory alignment.

The position reports to senior leaders, drives four pillars of governance, and leads a high-performing team focused on scalable processes, data analytics, and legal service delivery