Vice President - Technology/IT Counsel

The VP – Technology/IT Counsel is responsible for providing IT and technology legal advice and counsel across a sophisticated and dynamic enterprise. This position will lead an existing team in connection with company initiatives, primarily in support of the Commercial, Data and Analytics, Brand Marketing and IT teams. This position also provides privacy and data security advice and counsel in conjunction with Inspire’s privacy and data security legal team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Vertical lead of an existing team in support of all IT and technology agreements across a sophisticated and dynamic enterprise.
• Oversee and lead (as necessary) contract negotiations, drafting, and review of complex brand and enterprise-wide technology/technology-related contracts critical to the ongoing operations of the organization.
• Analyze legal risks for new and existing technology initiatives, from ideation through implementation phases, including with respect to technology solutions, APIs, POS and payment systems, e-commerce and loyalty programs, data privacy and security programs, AI and company innovations.
• Provide enterprise-wide advice and counsel on privacy and data security (including collection, security and compliance around PII) in connection with our data privacy and security legal teams.
• Counsel and collaborate with cross-functional units of the enterprise, as the face of the IT/Technology legal function, to administer effective business-technology development and innovation efforts.
• Promote change efforts impacting long-term IT, Commercial and marketing goals in multiple business units.
• As needed, manage the selection, use, and proficiency of applicable outside counsel as a supplemental and strategic resource.
• As needed, draft, review, and/or negotiate non-IT business contracts and agreements in collaboration with other legal verticals.
• Provide advice of and counsel and support for other projects and key initiatives as needed
• Work with other leaders of legal verticals and the legal function on strategic plans, initiatives, budgets and forecasts.
• Provide thought leadership to company leaders and cross-functional teams in connection with major initiatives and technological developments
• Provide thought leadership in connection with technological developments, trends and innovations, including providing educational opportunities to other departments within Inspire

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

• JD from an accredited U.S. law school
• Licensed (in good standing) to practice law
• 10+ years practicing in a law firm or corporation
• Significant experience and subject matter expertise with respect to IT/Technology and commercial agreements.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS or ABILITIES:

• Broad subject matter expertise in IT/technology and commercial contracting
• Familiarity with privacy and data security matters (at least in the context of IT/Technology contracting)
• Experience analyzing, interpreting, and communicating legal strategies and requirements for/to non-lawyer colleagues and leaders of business units
• Experience in counseling cross-functional business units in the effective and efficient implementation of major initiatives

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, OR ABILITIES:  

• Experience working with or for a franchisor or large franchisee 
• Experience working in the restaurant or hospitality industry 
• Experience working in-house at a large organization, counseling and leading cross-functional teams
• Broad knowledge of restaurant/hospitality technology practices, vendors, and programs
• Experience leading a team of lawyers/paralegals in a dynamic environment

 

Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants worldwide.

We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.