About the Role:Grade Level (for internal use):
12
About the Role:
The Operations & Technology Senior Manager leads the Company’s outside counsel management program, with primary accountability for outside spend governance, e-billing operations, and budget oversight. The role is central to driving cost discipline, vendor performance, AI adoption, and operational excellence. This role will report to the Global Head of Operations and Transformation.
The Team:
S&P Global’s Operations & Transformation team operates at the intersection of strategy, operations, and innovation, advancing the modernization and scalability of the Legal, Government Affairs, Security, Risk & Compliance (LGASRC) functions. The team leads enterprise-wide initiatives spanning operating model transformation, financial and vendor management, operational excellence, technology and AI enablement, and process optimization. Partnering closely with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, the team drives strategic execution, enhances organizational effectiveness, and builds scalable, future-ready capabilities that support the evolving needs of a complex, global business environment.
Responsibilities and Impact:
Own the end-to-end outside counsel lifecycle: panel management, engagement intake, onboarding, performance evaluation, and offboarding.
Maintain and enforce the Company’s Outside Counsel guidelines, manage billing, and drive cost rigor across external legal spend.
Lead rate negotiations with outside counsel firms; drive convergence and panel optimization initiatives to consolidate work with preferred providers.
Lead efforts that push automation, AI, and data-driven insights into how we deliver our work throughout the organization.
Assist in developing and executing the technology strategy and product roadmap across the LGASRC functions.
Evaluate, select, and implement new technologies and AI-powered tools to improve operational efficiency and scale service delivery.
Manage external vendors and consultants to ensure effective partnerships and strong ROI.
Manage the e-billing platform (configuration, workflows, timekeeper rate approvals, LEDES compliance, and reporting).
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to build annual outside counsel budget and forecasts on a regular cadence.
Produce monthly and quarterly spend reports and executive dashboards for senior stakeholders.
Identify and implement process improvements, automation, and data quality initiatives across the outside counsel program.
Benchmark practices against industry peers and lead change management for new policies and tools.
Compensation/Benefits Information: (This section is only applicable to US candidates)
S&P Global states that the anticipated base salary range for this position is $104,435 to $182,604.5 USD. Final base salary for this role will be based on the individual’s geographic location, as well as experience level, skill set, training, licenses and certifications.
In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible for an annual incentive plan.
This role is eligible to receive additional S&P Global benefits. For more information on the benefits we provide to our employees, please click .
What We’re Looking For:
Basic Required Qualifications:
5-7+ years of experience in legal operations, corporate technology operations, procurement, or a related business management function.
Ability to negotiate with law firm partners, vendors, and influence senior internal stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience managing legal spend at scale (multi-million dollar portfolio) and producing executive-level financial reporting.
Demonstrated experience in vendor governance, including tech tool evaluation, SLA performance management, and ROI tracking.
Working knowledge of e-billing process and (e.g., Legal Tracker) and billing standards.
Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and BI tools (Power BI, Tableau); comfortable working with large datasets.
Practical understanding of AI tools, automation platforms, and process-mapping methodologies, with experience managing an automation backlog.
Excellent written and verbal communication; able to translate financial and operational data into clear narratives.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects from inception to completion with minimal supervision.
Ability to work harmoniously with teams across regions and time zones.
Right to Work Requirements:
This role is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States.
Return to Work:
Have you taken time out for caring responsibilities and are now looking to return to work? As part of our Return to Work initiative, Restart, we are encouraging enthusiastic and talented returners to apply, and will actively support your return to the workplace.