Director, Legal Operations

Description

The Company 

At Spartan Investment Group our mission is to improve lives through our values. We do this by finding value-add and opportunistic investments offering solid returns to our investors. Providing an opportunity to grow for our partners and creating lasting wealth for everyone with whom we conduct business is how we make our greatest contribution. 

We specifically focus on self-storage projects capitalizing on amazing deals in other asset classes. In 2021, we were listed as the 5th fastest growing real estate company in the US and joined the list of the top 100 owners of self-storage. We are members of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies in America and in 2023 we were #13 in Denver Business Journals list of top places to work. 

Mission  

As Director of Legal Operations for Spartan Investment Group, your mission is to manage all legal and regulatory matters for the Company, including contracts, corporate governance, general compliance, employment law matters, intellectual property, real estate transaction, and syndications. A key aspect of your job is ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements, fostering strong relationships with investors and stakeholders, and supporting the company’s growth by facilitating efficient, legally sound transactions. Through proactive risk management, ethical decision-making, and innovative legal solutions, your actions will protect the company’s assets and reputation. 

Requirements

Core Responsibilities: 

• Compliance and Risk Management: Oversee and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements across multi-state operations, manage risk through proactive assessments, and develop strategies to reduce overall legal exposure. 

• Transaction Management: Lead and coordinate all legal aspects of real estate acquisitions and development, including drafting and negotiating contracts, reviewing title and zoning documents, and ensuring seamless coordination with external parties and title insurance companies. 

• Oversight of External Legal Counsel: Manage and optimize the work of external counsel, including billing/spend tracking. Ensure cost-effective and high-standard legal representation that aligns with the company's budget and strategic objectives. 

• Process Improvement and Legal Technology: Implement and manage legal processes, tools, and technologies, including contract lifecycle management and the integration of generative AI, to enhance efficiency, standardize practices, and improve the department’s operational effectiveness. 

Outcomes: 

• Timely Closures: Achieve a closure rate of at least 90% of acquisitions within the initial contracted time frame. 

• Cost Management: Maintain external legal spending within 5% variance of the budgeted amount. 

• Efficiency in Response: Ensure an average response time of less than 24 hours for critical legal inquiries. 

• Comprehensive Risk Assessment: Oversee that 95% of properties in the portfolio undergo a thorough legal risk assessment within the last 12 months. 

• Title Resolution: Ensure that 100% of title exceptions are cleared or adequately addressed before closing, contributing to a zero-delay transaction record. 

 

Competencies 

• Project Management - Demonstrated leadership in managing complex real estate and private equity transactions, including acquisitions, development, and financing, with a strong focus on precision and adherence to timelines. 

• Regulatory Compliance - Deep understanding of real estate-specific regulations, zoning, land use, corporate governance, and multi-state labor laws, with the ability to navigate the complexities of private equity and its unique compliance demands. 

• Contract Negotiation - Advanced proficiency in negotiating multifaceted real estate and private equity and debt/financing contracts, effectively managing external legal counsel to meet strategic business goals while maintaining budget discipline and cost efficiency. 

• Strategic Risk Management - Expertise in evaluating the inherent risks associated with real estate and private equity investments, understanding when risk aligns with the firm's business strategy, and applying appropriate levels of oversight and mitigation for debt and financing.  

• Investor and Stakeholder Engagement - Proven ability to cultivate trust and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with investors, stakeholders, and partners, supporting business growth and long-term value creation through transparent and ethical practices. 

• Technological Proficiency - Skilled in leveraging legal technologies, such as contract lifecycle management systems, and applying generative AI tools to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and support sophisticated deal execution within the real estate and private equity sector. 

Benefits

• Competitive Full Time Base Salary: $125k – $135K with performance bonus potential up to $200k Annually.  

• Comprehensive benefits including 401k with company matching. 

• Access to company profit sharing. 

• Access to company carried interest program. 

• Wellness benefits include company paid health, vision, dental, short-term disability, and life insurance. 

• In house performance coaching. 

• Unlimited PTO. 

• Reimbursements for phone, transportation, and entertainment, and more through an innovative cafeteria benefits plan.

Salary

• $125,000 - $135,000/k