Vice President Legal Operations, Transformation & Strategy

Stanley Black & Decker•Charlotte, NC

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Stanley Black & Decker is undertaking a comprehensive, multi-year transformation of its Legal function to position it as a world-class, business-embedded strategic partner and competitive advantage for the enterprise. To accelerate this transformation, we are seeking a Vice President of Legal Operations, Transformation & Strategy—a senior, enterprise-minded leader who will serve as a force multiplier to the General Counsel and architect the operating model, infrastructure, and execution engine required to modernize Legal from the ground up. Reporting to the SVP, Chief Legal Officer, this role is central to building a function that operates with speed, discipline, transparency, and data-driven decision-making, while enabling the business to move faster and more effectively. This position will be based in Towson, Maryland, Charlotte, North Carolina, or New Britain, Connecticut, though remote locations will also be considered. Accessibility to our East Coast hub locations is required.

Requirements

12+ years of experience across legal operations, consulting, or senior transformation roles (law firm, corporate, or advisory).
Proven track record leading enterprise-scale transformation—ideally within Legal or adjacent functions (Finance, Operations, Procurement).
Deep experience building or scaling legal operations capability (spend management, outside counsel optimization, technology platforms).
Bachelor’s degree required.
Juris Doctor (JD) degree is not required, though valuable.
Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
Data-driven mindset with experience leveraging insights to inform strategy and measure impact.
Experience influencing and developing high-performing teams.
Ability to operate in a fast-paced, matrixed global environment.

Responsibilities

Architect and Drive the Legal Transformation: Shape and execute a multi-year transformation roadmap aligned to enterprise strategic priorities. Translate diagnostic insights into a target-state operating model, including structure, roles, governance, and workflows. Lead change management to shift the function from reactive to proactive, advisory to decision-enabling and from siloed expertise to integrated enterprise leadership.
Build a Best-in-Class Legal Operating Model: Design and implement a global Legal operating model that drives end-to-end ownership of outcomes, clear decision rights and accountability and seamless collaboration with business partners. Standardize and optimize core processes (intake, contracting, litigation management, compliance workflows, etc.). Establish governance structures and leadership operating cadence.
Lead Legal Operations Infrastructure: Build and oversee core legal operations capabilities, which include: Financial management (budgeting, forecasting, spend transparency), Outside counsel strategy and panel management, Vendor management and sourcing discipline, Matter management and data architecture. Drive visibility into global legal spend, workload, and performance, addressing historical gaps in transparency and control.
Technology, Digital & AI Enablement: Define and execute the Legal technology and AI roadmap in partnership with IT and external partners. Deploy scalable tools to improve productivity (automation, workflows, self-service), insight (data, dashboards, analytics) and quality and speed of legal service delivery. Establish expectation that technology adoption is integral to how Legal works.
Performance Management & Operational Rigor: Implement a metrics-driven performance framework, including KPIs tied to speed, quality, cost, and business impact and transparent goal setting and tracking mechanisms. Introduce disciplined operating rhythms (e.g., reviews, dashboards, leadership cadences). Drive a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
Strategic Partner to the General Counsel: Serve as a trusted advisor and right hand to the GC on strategy, talent, and execution priorities. Support organizational design, talent upgrades, and capability building across the Legal leadership team. Lead and/or coordinate cross-functional initiatives that elevate Legal’s enterprise impact.