Corporate Counsel - Franchise Licensing & Compliance

Role Purpose

Under the guidance of a Vice President –Associate General Counsel or Senior Counsel, this Corporate Counsel provides legal counsel, support, and representation to the IHG Americas within the Franchise Licensing and Compliance domain. As part of a 30+ person Franchise Licensing and Compliance team, you will leverage your litigation and bankruptcy experience to effectively resolve issues and drive solutions with others in the Legal Department, business personnel, outside counsel, adversarial parties, external business partners, and other IHG stakeholders with whom the role interacts.

Your Day-to-Day

• Legal Management: Conduct, supervise, and manage mediations, trials, and other legal matters nationwide, utilizing and directing outside resources as appropriate.
• Strategic Legal Direction: Develop strategic direction and alternatives on legal matters, utilizing outside counsel and other external resources to ensure cost-efficient and effective representation.
• Communication & Reporting: Provide status reports on pending legal matters, advice on department/division legal issues, and clear communication to business stakeholders on commercial franchise contract and compliance matters.
• Team Oversight: Direct and oversee internal and external team members to ensure performance is measured, administrative matters are completed timely, and budgets are developed, monitored, and met.
• Legal Counseling: Counsel department or division management on relevant legal issues, assist in evaluating the legal impact of corporate strategies, and represent management in dealings with external parties.
• Franchise Bankruptcy & Workout Strategies: Assist in managing franchise-related bankruptcy matters, provide legal support in developing owner workout strategies, and advise on legal risks associated with franchisee financial distress.
• Document Drafting & Negotiation: Draft, review, and negotiate franchise agreements and related legal documents, analyze and negotiate changes made by franchisees, and develop approaches to move agreements to completion.

What We Need from You

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctor Degree; member of the Georgia State Bar in good standing.
• Experience: 3+ years of post-qualification and progressive work-related experience in the practice of law with expertise in designated areas of responsibility.
• Legal Document Drafting: Demonstrated ability to draft a variety of legal documents.
• Litigation Management: Proficiency in managing litigation, assessing legal risk, and providing practical legal advice.
• Project Management: Experience in organizing, planning, and executing large-scale projects from conception through implementation.
• Communication Skills: Effective verbal and written communication for providing information to various stakeholders, adapting communication to the needs and level of the user.
• Additional Skills: Analytical, research, and presentation skills, understanding of franchising, maintaining attorney-client privileged information, advanced knowledge of Microsoft applications, strong customer service and team-focused attitude, attention to detail, and flexibility in learning new areas of responsibility.

Location: Atlanta, GA.  Our hybrid work structure is an expectation of three (3) days a week in office. This expectation may be adjusted to evolve with the changing needs of the business.

The salary range for this role is $139,000 to $189,000. This role is also eligible for bonus pay (as applicable). We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401K, and other benefits to employees. 

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