Head of Legal Strategic Initiatives- Managing Director

About the role

Lead firmwide Legal initiatives that transform how the firm manages legal obligations and client documentation. As a Managing Director and Associate General Counsel within the Office of the General Counsel, you will lead the Legal Strategic Initiatives (LSI) team responsible for overseeing Legal's engagement and execution of the Office of Legal Obligations (OLO) and Client Facing Documentation (CFD) programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global strategy, governance, and execution of the OLO and CFD programs, establishing priorities, operating models, and execution roadmaps aligned with Legal and firmwide objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior Legal and business leaders, influencing strategic decisions and driving alignment across Legal, Compliance, Risk, Finance, Operations, Technology, and Lines of Business.
• Lead and develop a high-performing global team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Establish and maintain effective governance forums, escalation pathways, reporting frameworks, and executive communications to support program oversight and decision-making.
• Oversee the identification, assessment, and documentation of legal and regulatory developments that impact the firm's obligations inventory and related compliance infrastructure.
• Drive continuous improvement of OLO processes, controls, and quality assurance practices to promote consistency, sustainability, and operational effectiveness.
• Lead the evolution of the CFD program, including standards, methodologies, review processes, training programs, reporting capabilities, and documentation best practices.
• Develop and execute global engagement and training strategies that promote awareness, consistency, and effective adoption of program requirements across jurisdictions and business areas.
• Partner with Legal, Operations, and Technology stakeholders to design and implement workflow enhancements, controls, data solutions, and reporting capabilities that support program objectives.
• Identify opportunities to integrate OLO, CFD, and other Legal strategic initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and strengthen governance outcomes.
• Sponsor and lead digital transformation initiatives, including the responsible adoption of AI-enabled solutions and emerging technologies, in accordance with firm policies and controls.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent legal degree and active authorization to practice law in the applicable jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 12 years of legal experience within a major law firm, financial institution, or other highly regulated environment.
• Significant experience advising senior executives on complex legal, regulatory, governance, or risk-related matters.
• Deep knowledge of financial services regulatory frameworks and regulatory change management practices.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive consensus across multiple functions, organizations, and geographies.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing executive-level presentations and governance materials.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities with the ability to navigate ambiguity and competing priorities.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams across multiple locations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential, sensitive, and high-profile matters with sound judgment and discretion.

Qualifications

• Preferred qualifications include experience designing or implementing digital transformation initiatives, workflow automation solutions, or enterprise reporting enhancements.
• Experience establishing or managing legal horizon-scanning, regulatory change, or obligations management programs.
• Proven success leading complex cross-functional programs in global organizations.
• Strong project and program management expertise, including experience driving execution through matrixed teams.
• Familiarity with legal operations technologies, governance platforms, data management solutions, and reporting tools.
• Demonstrated interest in emerging technologies, including AI-enabled legal solutions and hybrid operating models.
• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions and partnering with diverse global stakeholder groups.