Overview
This role is for an attorney to join the organization’s Corporate Legal team as a Senior Director / Real Estate Counsel. The position will be responsible for legal matters related to the retail store real estate portfolio and lead a team of Real Estate Counsel supporting lease transactions across the U.S. and Canada.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the organization’s real estate legal function, overseeing legal aspects of the retail store portfolio, including new leases, amendments, renewals, assignments, subleases, and terminations across the U.S. and Canada.
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial leases, letters of intent, amendments, and related real estate agreements directly with landlords, brokers, and outside counsel. Ensure terms align with company standards and protect company interests (including exclusive use, co-tenancy, and kick-out remedies).
- Manage lease negotiations to closing within established timing expectations, driving accountability for initial comments, redlines, and draft turnaround.
- Supervise, coach, and manage the workload of the Real Estate Counsel team, reviewing work product, setting timing expectations, and holding the team accountable for quality and on-time delivery.
- Partner with SVP, Real Estate & Construction and Real Estate Directors on deal strategy, lease structure, and portfolio decisions to support store growth, relocations, remodels, and closures.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date lease files and status reporting (including document status logs and deal recaps). Proactively flag timing risk or landlord issues to leadership.
- Advise on lease disputes, landlord defaults, and other real estate legal matters in coordination with the broader Legal Department.
- Partner with cross-functional business teams, including Construction, Store Operations, and Finance, to support real estate transactions and portfolio initiatives.
- Manage outside counsel on real estate matters as needed, balancing business goals with time and cost.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
- Membership in good standing with at least one U.S. State Bar.
- 10+ years of legal experience in commercial real estate, with substantial experience in retail leasing (in-house and/or law firm).
- Demonstrated experience independently negotiating and closing commercial leases, amendments, and related real estate agreements.
- People management experience, including leading, coaching, and holding a team accountable for quality and timely work product.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage a high-volume portfolio of active lease matters simultaneously.
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to build effective relationships with landlords, brokers, and internal business partners.
- Sound business judgment and ability to balance legal risk with business needs in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Proficiency with contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools and lease administration systems (a plus).
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficiency with contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools and lease administration systems.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base pay range: $162,302-$270,400.
- Base pay is based on market location and may be subject to prevailing wage laws, if applicable. Actual compensation within this range will be determined based on skills, experience, and qualifications.
- Other compensation: 25% Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) bonus; 25% Long Term Incentive Plan bonus paid out according to policy.
- Eligible benefits include: health, dental and vision insurance; prescription drug coverage; retirement savings (401k, employer-funded retirement plans, deferred compensation, and other defined-benefit or defined-contribution); life insurance; accident and disability; paid time off for sick leave, vacation, bereavement, and jury duty; holidays (9 days per year); wellbeing program; commuter; adoption assistance; legal services; and employee merchandise discounts.
Work Environment / Physical & Mental Demands
- Ability to sit and work at a computer keyboard for extended periods of time.
- Ability to stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, and reach daily.
- Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds occasionally.
- Must utilize visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination, and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment.
- Hours regularly 40 hours per week, as work dictates, from a hybrid office location near a New York, Texas, or California corporate office, or from a remote location.
Work-Life Balance
- Meeting-Free Fridays (encouraged).
- Summer Fridays (from Memorial Day to Labor Day).
- Holiday Early Departure (close out early the business day before a company observed holiday).