The Role
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 Counseland 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.
Primary Accountabilities
Architect and Drive the Legal Transformation
- Shape and execute a multi-year transformation roadmapaligned 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 modelthat 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 roadmapin 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 handto the GC on strategy, talent, and execution priorities.
- Support organizational design, talent upgrades, and capability buildingacross the Legal leadership team.
- Lead and/or coordinate cross-functional initiatives that elevate Legal9s enterprise impact.
Candidate Profile
- 12+ years of experience across legal operations, consulting, or senior transformation roles (law firm, corporate, or advisory).
- Proven track record leading enterprise-scale transformationideally within Legal or adjacent functions (Finance, Operations, Procurement).
- Deep experience building or scaling legal operations capability(spend management, outside counsel optimization, technology platforms).
- Bachelor99s 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.
The Details:
You will receive a competitive salary and a great benefits plan, including:
- Medical, dental, life, vision, wellness program, disability, 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement.
- Discounts on Stanley Black & Decker tools and other partner programs.
And More:
We want our company to be a place you9ll want to be 9 and stay. Being part of our team means you get to:
- Grow: Be part of our global company with 20+ brands to grow and develop your skills along multiple career paths.
- Learn: Have access to a wealth of learning resources, including our digital learning portal.
- Belong: Experience an awesome place to work, where we have mutual respect and a great appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Give Back: Help us continue to make positive changes locally and globally through volunteerism, giving back, and sustainable business practices.
You will get that pride that comes from empowering makers, doers, protectors, and everyday heroes all over the world. We are more than the #1 tools company. More than a driving force in outdoor power equipment. More than a global leader in industrial. We are visionaries and innovators. As successful as we9ve been in the past, we have so much further to go. That9s where you come in. Join us!
The Salary range for this position is $219,400.00 - $340,100.00
This is the lowest to highest annual full-time salary range we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. The salary offered within the range may vary depending on multiple factors including job level, geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience and in compliance with local wage requirements. Please note that salary is only one component of total rewards at Stanley Black & Decker.
The salary range listed in this job posting reflects the range for the primary location specified. The salary range may vary for other locations.
The successful candidate may be eligible for annual merit increases.
Medical, dental, life, vision, disability,401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement in addition to programs & benefits in support of your well-being.
Discounts on Stanley Black & Decker tool sand other partner programs.
