Job Purpose:

The Legal Compliance and Support Specialist ensures that Americana’s business operations adhere to all legal requirements. This role supports the company's strategy by protecting the core business, representing the company's interests in court, and leveraging legal opportunities. The specialist anticipates potential issues, strategically assesses risks, and provides comprehensive legal support across multiple departments.

Responsibilities:

• Translate and communicate Americana’s purpose, vision, and strategy to the team to instill an ownership mindset and motivation to act.
• Anticipate potential issues, strategically assess risks, and identify proactive, risk-weighted solutions.
• Provide strategic legal advice to management, focusing on priority areas.
• Draft a variety of legal documents, including NDAs, third-party agreements, internal memorandums, POAs, settlement and release agreements, waivers, supplier and service agreements (for direct and indirect procurement), resolutions, and lease agreements.
• Research legal issues in response to internal needs and present findings in a timely, digestible, solution-oriented format.
• Understand obligations to and maintain relationships with major business partners (e.g., franchisors) while enabling business initiatives and ensuring contractual compliance. Manage legal issues within the greater commercial context.
• Establish internal governance and legal compliance policies covering risk/litigation mitigation, IT/data privacy, routine legal processes, contractual relationships and obligations, employment, governmental licensing/compliance, and marketing. Drive government approvals to protect Americana’s business continuity and sustainability.
• Review and assist in negotiating corporate transactions, including joint ventures, franchise agreements, acquisitions, and license agreements, in partnership with commercial teams.
• Implement and maintain contract management software and ensure ongoing contract compliance.
• Manage IP/trademark issues, including registrations, renewals, trademark infringements, and disputes.
• Support business decisions with legal information and proactively seek ways to add value to the business.
• Provide legal services to internal customers, including Operations (OPS) and the Regional Support Center (RSC).
• Ensure consistent support for Regional Leadership Team (RLT) and other stakeholders in contract approval processes.
• Manage the strategy and work of external legal counsel, facilitate their efforts, and control costs; supervise the legal work of internal attorneys.
• Communicate Americana’s expectations regarding tools, resources, and systems, ensuring they are understood and adhered to by the team.
• Model compliance with Americana’s processes, internal policies, code of conduct, and core value behaviors.
• Be accountable for team performance by coaching and mentoring the team to achieve KPIs in line with Americana’s culture.
• Promote Americana’s people practices throughout the employment cycle, from hiring and onboarding to training, development, and exit. Coach the team for personal development, identify successors, and mentor cross-functional teams to support Americana’s growth.
• Plan, monitor, and ensure optimal allocation of resources within budget guidelines, as per the Annual Operating Plan. Coach the team to adhere to these guidelines.

Qualification and Experience:

Qualification:

• BSc, J.D., LLB, or LLM degree in Law
• MBA is an asset

Experience:

• 7+ years of solid experience at corporate legal departments
• Experience successfully leading a team of talented legal professionals in the Middle East
• Experience working on matters of corporate governance and with a board of directors