Senior Manager, Legal Vendor Management

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Develops, promotes, maintains and actively manages the legal vendor management program for the management of partnerships with law firm providers to improve productivity, service delivery and quality. Provides support for disciplined, streamlined and efficient legal risk management in partnership with internal and outside legal counsel. Performs periodic reviews, analyzes program outcomes, provides insights and makes recommendations for enhancement and changes as required. Ensures the effective and efficient execution of all program components, including ensuring change management and communications are in place for any enhancements and changes, and understanding & mitigating any risk. Works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

• Fosters a culture aligned to BMO purpose, values and strategy and role models BMO values and behaviours in all that they do.
• Ensures alignment between values and behaviour that fosters diversity and inclusion.
• Regularly connects work to BMO's purpose, sets inspirational goals, defines clear expected outcomes, and ensures clear accountability for follow through.
• Builds interdependent teams that collaborate across functional and operating groups to create the highest value for all stakeholders.
• Attracts, retains, and enables the career development of top talent.
• Improves team performance, recognizes and rewards performance, coaches employees, supports their development, and manages poor performance.
• Makes recommendations related to policy, standards and strategies for outside counsel management programs/processes and implements changes.
• Makes recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and new initiatives related to law firm use based on an in-depth understanding of the business group.
• Develops, maintains, and executes external firm governance processes and processes to validate internal data flows between various systems.
• May network with industry contacts to gain competitive insights and best practices.
• Participates in the development of strategic plans.
• Acts as the prime subject matter expert for internal/external stakeholders.
• Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders and ensures alignment as required.
• Acts as the day to day contact for law firms and manages resource communications.
• Defines business requirements for analytics & reporting to ensure data insights inform business decision making.
• Establishes and maintains governance over law firm management processes.
• Reviews programs/processes for effectiveness, considers industry trends, and recommends and implements enhancements.
• Guides the strategy for technology applications and innovation related to external counsel spend.
• Leads the execution of outside counsel management programs/processes; assesses and adapts as needed to ensure quality of execution.
• Oversees law firm billing activities to monitor cost expectations and resolve billing and payment issues.
• Drafts retainer agreements and law firm contracts.
• Provides guidance to internal and external stakeholders on retainer agreements.
• Supports the development and promotion of outside counsel management program solutions.
• Participates in the relationship management between BMO internal business/group partners and outside legal counsel.
• Supports the management of the outside counsel program, including developing program components, promoting the program, and ensuring the execution of all program components and products/services are delivered according to the retainer agreement with the law firms.
• Oversees vendor risk management for law firms.
• Collaborates with internal/external stakeholders to deliver on business objectives.
• Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a specialist resource to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Applies expertise and thinks creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to problems that can be complex and non-routine.
• Implements changes in response to shifting trends.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

  Qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience managing vendor programs – Expert.
• Operational experience with legal matter management, e-Billing and Accounts Payable systems required.
• Technical leader viewed as a thought leader for innovation.
• Ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Analytical, problem solving and judgment skills - Expert.
• Critical thinking and strategic skills – Expert.
• Law firm program management experience - preferred.
• Seasoned professional with a combination of education, experience and industry knowledge.
• Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth / Expert.
• Analytical and problem solving skills - In-depth / Expert.
• Influence skills - In-depth / Expert.
• Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration - In-depth / Expert.
• Able to manage ambiguity.
• Data driven decision making - In-depth / Expert.

Salary:

Pay Type:

The above represents BMO Financial Group's pay range and type.

Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group's expected target for the first year in this position.

BMO Financial Group's total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: 

About Us

At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world.

As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We'll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we'll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset.

To find out more visit us at

BMO is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each other's differences, we gain strength through our people and our perspectives. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.

Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.