Ulta Beauty’s Legal Services Team is looking for an experienced Vice President, Assistant General Counsel to lead the Company’s real estate legal team. This role is responsible for providing guidance and delivering innovative solutions for its critical real estate portfolio including over 1100 stores, 5 distribution centers and corporate offices. In addition to deep real estate technical expertise and significant related transactional experience, the successful candidate must be a proven leader with keen business acumen and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. This role will also manage real estate and construction related litigation. The Vice President, Assistant General Counsel will lead a team of real estate professionals and be responsible for developing and implementing strategies for providing legal support to business partners across the organization. Ulta Beauty’s Legal Services team manages all legal, governance and risk management services for Ulta Beauty, a Fortune 500 company which is the nation’s largest beauty retailer. This is a unique opportunity to join an outstanding in-house legal services team and work at one of the nation’s fastest growing beauty retailers.
GENERAL SUMMARY & SCOPE
The Vice President, Assistant General Counsel is a key leadership role that will report to the Company’s General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Corporate Secretary. Working closely with key cross-functional stakeholders, this role will lead real estate legal support including transactions, issues management and related matters across a broad range of critical business areas including growth & development, construction, property management, tax, loss prevention and business continuity. In addition, this role will develop, lead and implement strategies for commercial litigation impacting the Company’s real estate portfolio, including the effective management of outside law firms. The Vice President Assistant General Counsel will also be called upon to support the General Counsel on corporate initiatives and projects designed to advance the Company’s and Legal Services Team’s overall objectives.
CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Deliver high quality, cost effective real estate legal services to key stakeholders across the enterprise in support of the Company’s strategic imperatives and in accordance with Ulta Beauty’s mission, vision and values
Contribute deep functional real estate expertise to support business objectives and collaborate with business and legal colleagues to manage risks related to the Company’s real estate portfolio
Lead a team of real estate legal professionals and be responsible for setting strategic priorities designed to drive results aligned with the company’s business objectives.
As a leader, provide coaching and development to enable team members to achieve goals and reach their full potential
Manage and be responsible for (both as a leader and as an individual subject matter expert) all aspects of real estate legal support including drafting, reviewing and negotiating leases and related documents including but not limited to letters of intent, new leases, amendments, renewals, SNDAs, estoppels, waivers and other documents as needed throughout the life of a lease
Provide guidance on real estate related construction, utility, fixture and signage matters
Responsible for managing real estate related litigation including development of litigation strategies and proactive risk management, in collaboration with Legal Services team members, business partners and outside counsel
Manage outside counsel supporting real estate transactions and litigation to ensure delivery of high quality, timely and cost-effective real estate legal services
Deliver all legal services using a consultative approach and model accountability and responsiveness by communicating proactively and meeting service commitments timely
Develop relationships across the Company and externally that enable you to be a true strategic partner to Ulta Beauty’s business teams – become a “go-to” Legal Services team member
Maintain a focus on cost control and operational excellence in implementation of specific objectives supporting strategic imperatives. Provide services within established budgets and communicate project costs to business partners for transparency
Support special projects as assigned by the General Counsel including but not limited to strategic planning, operational compliance, business continuity, reporting and other strategic projects
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
JD and license to practice in the state of Illinois
15+ years of proven real estate transactional and litigation management experience in-house at a publicly traded company or at a large law firm
Deep knowledge of and experience in retail/commercial leasing
Significant experience as lead attorney for drafting and negotiating the full range of real estate transactional documentation for commercial retail projects including new leases, amendments, renewals, due diligence and construction-related agreements
Experienced leader with proven track record leading successful teams both directly and cross-functionally
Proven ability to effectively manage multiple large-scale matters simultaneously and flexibility to shift focus and priority as business needs change while also consistently maintaining strong attention to detail, accuracy and quality
Business minded and strategic thinking with an enterprise view considering impacts across the company and business.
Ability to build strong relationships with direct reports, legal team, peers, and executives
SPECIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Real estate experience with public companies preferred
Experience with international real estate transactions and vendors preferred
Position is located at corporate offices in Bolingbrook, IL and must have ability to travel to both ULTA locations and other locations as needed (less than 20% travel)
Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise outstanding judgment, meet concurrent deadlines and manage time effectively
High-level of proficiency with technology, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, and the ability and willingness to master and use supporting applications and data bases
