Description
ABOUT SAFELITE® GROUP
Safelite Group is one of America's most well-known premier service brands delivering unrivalled automotive glass repair, replacement and recalibration and claims management services to more than 10 million consumers annually, earning an estimated $2B in annual sales.
As a highly recognized brand, Safelite operates with an over-arching purpose to make a difference and bring unexpected happiness to people’s everyday lives. With a thirst for ongoing evolution through innovative solutions Safelite is driving to reach its full potential with a clearly defined growth strategy and vision of becoming the greatest, most trusted and admired service brand. Safelite’s plan is to grow 50%+ in the next 5 years … and our legal strategy is key to making this happen.
Safelite Group is a multifaceted auto glass and claims management service organization based in Columbus, Ohio. The company was established in 1947 and is composed of three major business operations;
- Safelite Fulfillment, Inc., an auto glass fulfillment and supply chain services company, operating under the trade name Safelite AutoGlass®
- Safelite Solutions LLC, Safelite Group's claims management operation, which processes P+C claims and FNOL handling for fleet and insurance companies
- Service AutoGlass®, a national provider of wholesale vehicle glass and sundry products, as well as installation and repair materials and tools
Today, the company operates with over 15,000 people across the nation with more than 7,800 MobileGlassShops™, 93 warehouses/SuperCenters; 5 contact centers and over 600 stores in all 50 states.
Safelite’s parent company is Belron, headquartered in London, England and operating in 3 unique business segments (Vehicle Glass Repair and Replacement (VGRR); Automobile Damage Repair and Replacement (ADRR) and Home Damage Repair and Replacement (HDRR)) in 30+ countries throughout the world. Belron is a $4B business operating many brands in its global operations.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The primary purpose of the role is to deliver an excellent legal service and sound advice to Safelite's Real Estate function and the Safelite business more generally, by:
- providing pragmatic, commercially sound, accurate and timely legal advice and solutions to the Real Estate function and other affected stakeholders, understanding and exploring new real estate opportunities and solutions and the legal challenges they may bring, and proactively identifying and advising Assistant General Counsel on key risks affecting the real estate portfolio.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary responsibilities of the role include:
- partner with Assistant General Counsel to oversee the legal aspects of real estate projects of varying sizes and levels of complexity;
- legal leader advising Director of Real Estate and his/her team members on matters impacting the real estate portfolio;
- legal leader advising Director of Facility Construction & Maintenance and his/her team on matters impacting construction and facility maintenance;
- advise and educate members of the real estate team on legal issues affecting the real estate portfolio (e.g. conducting trainings as needed/desired by the company);
- exercise independent decision making on legal issues in real estate negotiations;
- provide innovative, problem-solving resolutions during real estate negotiations;
- monitor legal risk in real estate documentation and advise internal clients accordingly;
- interpret laws, rulings and regulations for real estate transactions;
- prepare and review legal documents relating to real estate;
- negotiate the terms and conditions of real estate transactions;
- management of real estate-related disputes to ensure appropriate cost-effective resolution; and inputting and supporting regionally and/or globally on the above subject matters, as assigned.
EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS
- At least 2-5 years experience negotiating and drafting a range of commercial real estate transactions – specifically complex leasing agreements, lease amendments, subordination agreements, estoppel certificates, rental agreements, termination agreements, guaranties, construction agreements, letters of intent and NDAs
- Juris Doctorate or JD-equivalent (Ohio license preferred, but not required)
- Strong experience in real estate law, environmental law, construction law and industry knowledge that includes litigation, lease transactions, and property management
- Excellent business partnering skills
- Strong communication, organizational, drafting and negotiating skills
- Proven ability to persuade and influence without direct authority
- Previous in-house counsel experience preferred but not required
