VP Associate General Counsel

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Overview

AvalonBay Communities, Inc., an equity REIT, has a long-term track record of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing distinctive apartment homes in some of the best U.S. markets, and delivering outsized, risk-adjusted returns to shareholders. With equal parts experience and vision, we’ve established a leadership position rooted in our purpose of creating a better way to live and that is always focused on building value for the long term.

Creating a better way to live is the purpose that binds AvalonBay associates. We take that purpose seriously and expect you will as well. By focusing on collaboration, innovation, and taking ownership of our choices and actions, we act in ways that focus on creating value for our customers, investors and associates. Your positive, professional, and consistent personal interactions make AvalonBay a great place to work.

The Role

Company Overview

AvalonBay Communities, Inc., an equity REIT, has a long-term track record of developing, redeveloping, acquiring, and managing distinctive apartment homes in some of the best U.S. markets, and delivering outsized, risk-adjusted returns to shareholders. AvalonBay is driven by a bold purpose: creating a better way to live. It does this by providing distinctive apartment living experiences and contributing to the vitality of local communities. All AvalonBay associates, from community maintenance managers to development directors to accounts payable analysts, have a role to play in bringing our purpose to life.

AvalonBay’s values and cultural norms define its standards of behavior and guide its decisions:

Core Values

• A Commitment to Integrity: Do the right thing – always.

• A Spirit of Caring: Have genuine kindness and concern for others.

• A Focus on Continuous Improvement: Always try to get better.

Cultural Norms

• We Collaborate. We solve problems together in the best interests of all AvalonBay stakeholders—our customers, associates, shareholders, and communities. In making decisions, we consider other perspectives and listen to each other, our customers, and the market. We share our time and knowledge with each other, and we actively seek ideas and support from others.

• We Excel. We expect the best from ourselves and our colleagues. By being highly engaged in this way, we produce outstanding results. We are motivated self-starters who care and work intensely for AvalonBay’s success.

• We Innovate. We challenge convention and recognize problems as the seeds for innovation. We generate new ideas, offer better solutions, and embrace change at all levels. Knowing that not all ideas will work, we test new concepts before implementing them full-scale, and we discuss and learn from our failures.

• We Act Like Owners. We use the company’s resources responsibly. We take smart risks by weighing the pros and cons of decisions, and we take ownership of and accountability for our choices and actions. We act in ways that focus on creating value for our customers, investors, and associates.

• We Are Thoughtful And Thorough. We use reliable data and sound judgment when making decisions and taking action. That means we do our homework and avoid jumping to conclusions. We plan well, think through the big picture, and evaluate the consequences of our decisions in order to best manage risks.

• We Show Appreciation. We recognize and reward excellent performance, celebrating successes of all sizes in all areas. We provide open, honest feedback and we acknowledge the contributions of others.

For more information on AvalonBay, please visit: https://www.avalonbay.com.

Position Summary

AvalonBay is seeking an experienced legal professional to manage and oversee legal matters related to real estate transactions and real estate matters generally. This position requires proven ability to operate independently, provide strategic legal advice, and manage legal risks associated with acquisitions, development, redevelopment, construction, financing and other transactional activities. This attorney will collaborate closely with internal teams—including tax, accounting, finance, and real estate professionals—as well as outside counsel.

Key Responsibilities

• Real Estate Transactions – Independently and collaboratively work with other AvalonBay attorneys and outside counsel to support the Development, Investment, Finance and Tax teams structure, negotiate, document and implement joint ventures, structured investments, land acquisitions, public/private partnership agreements and complicated development structures.

• Real Estate Advice – Review and advise on a broad array of general real estate issues (e.g. condemnations, environmental issues, easements, etc.) and related matters for asset management and operations teams. 

• Construction Matters – Support the construction teams in connection with trade contractor agreements, disputes, and defect claims.

• Miscellaneous Business Agreements – May prepare and help negotiate miscellaneous business agreements, such as confidentiality agreements, venture investments, service-related agreements.

Qualifications & Skills

• J.D. with excellent credentials from an ABA accredited, nationally recognized law school.

• Active license to practice law and membership, in good standing, in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with an ability to obtain a corporate counsel license to practice in Virginia within the first year of employment.

• A minimum of 10+ years of legal practice experience as a commercial real estate attorney at a top tier law firm and/or corporate in-house legal department to include -  

  • Real estate development

  • In-depth knowledge of commercial real estate transaction structuring and documentation

  • Property acquisitions and sales

  • Property due diligence (title/survey/zoning)

  • Real estate joint ventures

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience with a minimum of 8 years leading and overseeing legal matters on multi-state real estate transactions strongly preferred. 

• Business-oriented lawyer with significant experience in various real estate transactional matters including purchase and sale agreements, development agreements, leasing, title, survey, zoning, and real estate joint ventures.

• Experience with construction issues and design and construction agreements is preferred.

• Experience with REITs, and structuring considerations applicable to REITs is a plus.

• Litigation management experience is a plus.

Key Attributes

• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including management, business leaders, associates, and outside counsel, while demonstrating strong client service skills.

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to work independently, prioritize multiple tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Expert communicator with clear, concise written and verbal skills; adept at translating complex legal concepts into practical business advice.

• Proactive, hands-on approach with a willingness to “roll up your sleeves” and tackle challenges directly.

• True team player who fosters collaboration and mutual respect.

• Intellectually curious and eager to learn new areas of law, conduct research, and provide well-informed recommendations.

• Skilled at managing multiple transactional matters simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and strategic perspective.

• Demonstrates gravitas, sound judgment, and confidence balanced with humility and respect for others.

• Strong critical thinking and decision-making abilities in complex situations.

• High degree of financial literacy and pragmatic business acumen, with an understanding of the business impact of legal advice.

• Strategic and innovative thinker who delivers creative solutions to complex legal issues.

• Excellent risk assessment and risk management capabilities.

• Superior interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with experience influencing stakeholders at all levels inside and outside the organization.

• Unquestionable integrity and strong character.

• Prior experience advising boards of directors and senior executives on key legal and strategic matters.

• Proven leadership and people management skills, including effective oversight of outside counsel.

• Commitment to embracing and nurturing company culture.

How AvalonBay Supports You

Additional Info

AvalonBay is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment free of discrimination and harassment.  We believe that in order to achieve our purpose of creating a better way to live, we must recruit, develop and retain associates with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and create an environment that encourages all voices to be heard, understood and appreciated. With this we know we can do great things.

AvalonBay makes employment decisions without regard to a person’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including characteristics or testing), citizenship status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by the law.

For California residents, if you elect to apply to AvalonBay you accept the AvalonBay California Personnel Privacy Notice (https://www.avaloncommunities.com/california-personnel-privacy-notice/)