Senior Counsel, Contracts

Senior Counsel, Contracts

Who are we looking for?

Choice Hotels, one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, has an exciting new opportunity as our Senior Counsel, Brands & Advertising in the Legal Department. In this pivotal role, you will work closely with and under the guidance of the Assistant General Counsel and act as a “first chair” for significant and complex contract and transactional matters.  This position works closely with other members of the Legal Department and subject matter experts throughout the Company.

We invite you to apply today for our Senior Counsel, Contracts role and #MakeItYourChoice.

Your Responsibilities

• Partner with key business stakeholders to support all aspects of Choice’s commercial contract lifecycle. 

• Lead a team that drives results for key operational agreements and corporate initiatives.

• Develop strategies to mitigate risks, comply with applicable law, and corporate policies.

• Innovate processes and procedures by leveraging resources such as AI, CLM tools, and other external resources to balance speed to market with best-in-class work product.

• Provide advice and counsel on complex commercial and operational agreements.

Your Experience, Skills & Competencies

• Law Degree and Bar Membership required.

• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience in a business/corporate law setting, commercial contracts, and with an interest in developing knowledge of other areas.

• Strong team building, leadership, and people management experience, including experience managing direct reports, multi-departmental taskforces, and large-scale projects.

• Experience with a contracts lifecycle management tool, leveraging AI and technology for process improvements, and a demonstrated innovative mindset.

• Demonstrated ability to strategize, prioritize, plan, implement, and delegate as appropriate.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication (verbal and written) skills.

• Robust relationship-building skills to establish and maintain strong working relationships throughout the Company.

• Proven ability to deliver a high degree of practical business and legal guidance.

• Proactive sense of customer satisfaction.

• Excellent negotiating and drafting skills.

• Willingness and desire to learn and understand the Company’s various business departments and operations to build effective “business partnerships” with internal clients and drive results.

• Must be able to uphold Choice’s Values of Be Bold, Be Quick, Listen, Be Curious, and Show Integrity.

Your Team

This is a leadership role that will report to the VP & Assistant General Counsel. You will have a team and collaborate with cross-functional departments on a regular basis.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $186,629 to $216,939 annually. In addition to the annual salary, this role is eligible for an annual bonus based on the terms of Choice's Management Incentive Plan (MIP), as well as annual awards of Choice Hotels International common stock through Choice’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTI Plan).

Choice prioritizes our associate wellbeing by offering a comprehensive benefits program that is both competitive and flexible to help you achieve your wellbeing goals - here are just a few:

• Competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Leave and paid time-off for holidays, vacation, personal, family, volunteer, sick, jury duty, bereavement, military, and religious observance
• Financial benefits for retirement and health savings
• Employee recognition programs
• Discounts at Choice hotels worldwide

About Choice

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. With 7,500 hotels in 45+ countries and territories, we offer a range of high-quality lodging options in the upper upscale, upper midscale, midscale, extended stay, and economy segments. We’re the hotel company for those who choose to bet on themselves — the striver, the dreamer, the entrepreneur — because that’s who we are, too.

At Choice, we are united by the simple belief that tomorrow will be even better than today — for associates, our company, and our franchisees. At our worldwide corporate headquarters in North Bethesda, Maryland, at our technology center in Scottsdale, Arizona, and through our associates around the globe, every voice is heard and every idea is listened to, no matter what area of the company they come from. We are united in supporting the entrepreneurial dreams of our thousands of franchise owners, which propels us forward — giving our work at Choice a purpose larger than our business.

Our corporate office locations:

North Bethesda, MD — Located at Pike & Rose, our worldwide headquarters is less than 15 miles from Washington, D.C., one block away from the North Bethesda Metro station, with easy access to I-495, complimentary parking, electronic charging stations, restaurants and retail.

Scottsdale, AZ — Located at the northwest corner of Loop 101, the Scottsdale office is home to our technology, eCommerce and customer service organizations, with easy access to complimentary parking, electronic charging stations, restaurants and retail.

Minneapolis, MN — Select roles are based in our Minneapolis office on Highway 394, near the intersection with Highway 100, only five minutes from downtown.

Field/Remote — Select roles designated as field/remote will require associates to work from a home office, connecting virtually with Choice team members and leadership on Zoom, with possible required travel depending on the role.  

Choice’s Cultural Values

Welcome and Respect Everyone | Be Bold | Be Quick | Listen | Be Curious | Show Integrity

Choice’s Leadership Principles

Act with Intention | Lead with Authenticity | Grow & Deliver