Vice President, Senior Real Estate Counsel

Our secret to leading the way in hospitality? We put our people first!

At Shake Shack, our mission is to Stand For Something Good in all that we do. From our teams to our neighborhoods, we're committed to always doing the right thing. As one of the fastest-growing hospitality brands, we're all about crafting unforgettable experiences for our guests. We offer endless learning opportunities and the chance to make a lasting impact on our business, restaurants, and communities. As a member of the #ShackFam, you’ll have access to hands-on mentorship, training, and growth potential, all in a fun and inclusive environment.

Join us and Be a Part of Something Good.

Job Summary

Shake Shack is looking for a seasoned transactional real estate attorney to

support the company’s expanding restaurant portfolio. 

The ideal candidate:

• Has extensive hands-on experiencing preparing, negotiating, and analyzing a wide range of leases and issues and related documents.

• Will support the Legal department in fulfilling its overall responsibilities to identify, assess and reduce the company’s legal, financial and business exposure, to ensure the company’s values and interests are protected, and confirm compliance with the company’s policies and applicable laws.

The position is eligible for annual public company equity grants.

Cover letter required with application.

Position based out of our downtown Manhattan Support Center, 4 days in the office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate leases and all ancillary documents primarily for ground and shopping center leases for restaurant locations in the US (including guaranties, memorandums of law, recognition agreements, waivers, site plans, work letters, estoppels, and SNDAs)

• Review superior documents, including declarations, REAs, master leases and existing exclusives

• Perform and oversee due diligence including review of title reports and environmental reports

• Manage and oversee lease work assigned to and performed by external counsel and other in-house team members

• Manage the resolution of any litigation and compliance matters relating to the leases, including construction disputes, early termination agreements, and landlord-tenant disputes

• Provide counsel to the lease administration, development, and marketing teams

• Review and make recommendations for technology that improves the review and administration of all real estate documents

• Develop best practices and processes to ensure the entry into high quality leases in a scaled manner

• Advise management on any material risks associated with a prospective lease or leased location

Skills & Knowledge

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills

• Practical business acumen, driving pragmatic business-oriented solutions

• A highly approachable, collegial and collaborative approach

• Accountable and proactive self-starter, comfortable working independently

• Superb organizational skills and the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects at once

• Experience working in a fast-paced and business-oriented environment with business groups throughout the company

• Strong background in lease drafting and negotiation experience

• Ability to work on a wide range of mission-critical projects, under tight time constraints, with minimal supervision

• Ability to provide counsel, say no when warranted in a respectful and authoritative manner, and suggest workable alternatives to meet the desired goals

• Ability to identify, explain and balance business and legal risks

• Organizing workflow and deadlines (including advising on priority and project management)

• Detail-oriented, resourceful, adaptable, flexible, organized, discreet and cost-conscious problem solver who can remain calm and work under pressure

Experience

• JD from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school

• 20+ years of relevant legal, business and leadership experience including as a law firm attorney

• Strong breadth of legal knowledge and in-depth subject matter expertise in the above referenced substantive areas

• In-house experience preferred

• People management experience preferred

Benefits at Shake Shack:

A work environment where you can come as you are, share your ideas, have fun, and work collaboratively:

• Weekly Pay and Performance bonuses

• Shake Shack Meal Discounts

• Exclusive corporate discounts for travel, electronics, wellness, leisure activities and more

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance*

• Employer Paid Life and Disability Insurance*

• 401k Plan with Company Match*

• Paid Time Off*

• Paid Parental Leave*

• Access to Employee Assistance Program on Day 1

• Pre-Tax Commuter and Parking Benefits

• Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts*

• Development and Growth Opportunities

*Eligibility criteria applies

Click the "Apply" button above to apply for this opening.

About Us

Beginning as a hot dog cart in New York City’s Madison Square Park, Shake Shack was created by Danny Meyer, Founder and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group and best-selling author of Setting the Table. Shack Fans lined up daily, making the cart a resounding success, and donating all proceeds back to the park beautification efforts.  A permanent stand was eventually built…and the rest is Shack history! With our roots in fine dining and giving back to the community, we are committed to high quality food served with a high level of hospitality. Our team members enjoy a positive work environment that is deeply committed to the philosophy that we "Stand for Something Good."

Shake Shack is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic, including race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability (mental and physical), sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital, military and veteran status.