VIce President - Associate General Counsel - Real Estate & Construction

J.Crew•New York, NY

1d•$205,400 - $267,000

About The Position

We are seeking an exceptional Vice President & Associate General Counsel to lead our Real Estate and Construction Legal function. This senior leadership role will provide strategic legal counsel, executive advisory services, and team leadership across our global real estate portfolio, including retail locations, corporate offices, distribution centers, and construction projects. The ideal candidate will serve as a key advisor to executive leadership and the Board on all real estate matters.

Requirements

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
8+ years of progressive commercial real estate legal experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing teams and significant portfolios
Substantial experience with both law firm and in-house legal departments, demonstrating expertise in retail leasing, construction law, and corporate real estate transactions
Proven track record managing large-scale real estate portfolios (500+ locations preferred) across multiple jurisdictions
Deep knowledge of retail store lease practices, construction contracts, and current market trends
Demonstrated success advising executive leadership and boards on strategic real estate initiatives
Experience managing complex litigation matters and directing outside counsel
Strong business acumen with ability to translate legal concepts into actionable business guidance for non-attorney stakeholders
Exceptional leadership, communication, negotiation, and project management skills
Proven ability to manage multiple high-priority matters simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
Experience with crisis management and navigating challenging business conditions (e.g., retail restructuring, pandemic response)
Admitted and in good standing to practice law
Willingness to travel occasionally for site visits, negotiations, and team meetings

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Executive Advisory Serve as primary legal advisor to executive leadership and the Real Estate Committee on all domestic and international real estate strategy, transactions, and real estate risk management
Develop and execute comprehensive legal strategies for the company's real estate portfolio expansion, optimization, and crisis management
Provide strategic counsel on mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures as they relate to real estate assets
Lead the legal real estate function through transformational business initiatives and market challenges
Partner with C-suite executives on corporate governance matters related to real estate and construction activities
Present to and advise the Board of Directors on significant real estate transactions and risk exposures
Team Management & Development Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing real estate legal team, including attorneys, paralegals, and support staff
Manage team workload, professional development, and performance evaluations
Establish team goals, KPIs, and operational excellence standards
Foster a collaborative culture that balances legal rigor with business partnership
Coordinate with and direct outside counsel across multiple jurisdictions
Real Estate Portfolio Management Oversee all legal aspects of the company's real estate portfolio, including retail stores, corporate offices, and distribution facilities
Lead drafting, negotiation, and execution of complex retail lease agreements, amendments, and ancillary documents (including storage agreements, signage agreements, SNDAs, and commencement agreements)
Establish and continuously update company-wide real estate leasing standards, playbooks, and best practices for U.S. and international portfolios
Negotiate sophisticated lease structures for flagship locations, headquarters, fulfillment centers, and strategic properties
Provide expert counsel on lease management issues including landlord defaults, rent disputes, lease enforcement, terminations, and portfolio restructuring
Construction & Vendor Management Provide legal oversight for all construction contracts, including build-outs, tenant improvements, and ground-up development projects
Draft and negotiate construction agreements, architect and engineering contracts, and vendor agreements
Advise on construction disputes, delay claims, mechanic's liens, and completion issues
Ensure compliance with building codes, ADA requirements, and environmental regulations in all construction projects
Manage legal aspects of construction risk management and insurance requirements
Litigation & Risk Management Direct all real estate-related litigation, including landlord-tenant disputes, construction defect claims, ADA accessibility complaints, and lease enforcement matters
Develop litigation strategy and manage outside counsel on complex disputes
Implement risk mitigation strategies to minimize exposure and protect company interests
Respond to governmental inquiries and consumer affairs matters related to retail locations
Contribute to enterprise-wide compliance initiatives as a member of the JCG compliance Committee
Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Real Estate, Store Construction, Store Operations, Finance, and Accounting teams to ensure seamless execution of transactions and company-wide understanding of legal provisions
Collaborate with Finance on accounting implementation of real estate portfolio
Build and maintain strategic relationships with landlord legal counterparts, particularly for large portfolio landlords
Support other Legal team members on cross-functional commercial contracts, projects, and departmental initiatives
Process Improvement & Innovation Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve efficiencies, and leverage technology in real estate legal operations
Implement contract management systems and legal tech solutions to enhance team productivity
Develop training programs for business partners on real estate legal concepts and risk areas
Create standardized templates, checklists, and playbooks to expedite transactions

Benefits

Health & Well-being - Eligible associates and family members receive medical, dental, prescription and vision insurance, family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support), fitness discounts, medical travel and more.
Associate Discount - We love our products just as much as you do! That’s why we offer a great associate discount across all of our brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell).
Summer Fridays - In addition to our hybrid work model, we also close our office at 1:00 PM every Friday during the Summer months.
Community Impact - We support the communities where we live and work through our philanthropic efforts and the J.Crew Cares Program.
Winter Break - In addition to our PTO package, J.Crew Group offers a winter break at the end of December to eligible full-time associates at the Home Office to provide time to refresh and recharge.

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