Manager, Legal - Real Estate (KnitWell Group) - Talbots

About Us

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, Chico’s, Haven Well Within, Talbots, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, and White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful.

About the Role

The Manager of Legal Real Estate is responsible for supporting the company’s real estate department in all of its leasing, fleet optimization initiatives, store design and construction matters and ancillary facilities’ projects (occasional office leasing, land acquisition, and sale activities).  This position negotiates the draft required documentation and oversees / coordinates the drafting of such documentation by internal staff and/or external resources.      

This is a hybrid position based in our Hingham, MA office. 

What You'll Do

• Negotiates, drafts, and oversees and coordinates internal and/or external drafting of, the following:
• Retail store leases and ancillary documents, such as letters of intent, amendments, SNDAs, estoppels, and lease documentation for corporate facilities.
• Contracts with various third parties, including general contractors, architects and design consultants, fixture vendors, materials suppliers, and facilities maintenance services; and
• Purchase and sale agreements
• Conduct or coordinate any due diligence needed in connection with property acquisition or sale.
• Maintains and improves efficient and effective processes which ensure timely and accurate completion of lease documents and docketing of critical dates, rights, and obligations.
• Analyzes company’s existing lease rights and obligations with respect to issues as co tenancy requirements, kiosk/no-build requirements and sales kick-out rights.
• Identifies and assesses issues or disputes which could result in liability or litigation; Involves appropriate internal partners, to resolve and/or escalate.
• Counsels the company regarding legal and related business issues related to proposed property acquisitions, sales, development, leasing (subleasing and assignments), and financing.
• Ensures that the company follows law and regulation applicable to all properties.
• Supports the company’s real estate department by functioning as that department’s legal representative and aligning with its strategic objectives.
• Manages outside counsel, as needed.
• Values individuality and the diverse talents of their team.
• Leads the team by communicating expectations, providing guidance, delivering feedback, and empowering the team to be their best.

What You'll Bring

• Strategic Mindset
• Seeking future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Ensures Accountability
• Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Attracts Top Talent
• Attracting and selecting the best talent to meet current and future business needs
• Builds Networks
• Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the
• Manages Ambiguity
• Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

 Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree and J.D. from accredited law school required
• Currently licensed to practice law and in good standing with bar of at least one U.S. State
• Successful candidate must be admitted to Florida Bar as Authorized House Counsel
• 4-6 years of experience in commercial retail real estate leasing, which includes extensive experience in negotiating and drafting leases and ancillary documents
• Currently licensed to practice law and in good standing with bar of at least one U.S. State
• Successful candidate must be admitted to Florida Bar as Authorized House Counsel
• Strong negotiation and communication skills
• Ability to deal with numerous departments, cross-functional teams and persons inside and outside the Company
• Ability to analyze and proactively problem solve, applying sound business judgment
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize among competing projects
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment and under time deadlines
• Organized, enthusiastic, process and detail oriented, motivated self-starter who takes pride in the work product
• Leadership skills and management experience
• High standards of professionalism and a solid ethical compass
• Professional demeanor
• Proficient in WORD, Excel, PowerPoint