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Founded in San Antonio, Texas, in 1952, Church's Texas Chicken® is a highly recognized brand name in the Quick Service Restaurant industry and is one of the largest quick service chicken concepts in the world. Church's Texas Chicken serves up a rich tradition of gracious Southern hospitality and freshly prepared, high quality, authentic home-style fare, to help people provide affordable, complete meals for their families. Church's menu includes its world famous Original and Spicy chicken, Tender Strips® and chicken sandwiches with classic sides and hand-made from scratch honey-butter biscuits. The Church's system consists of more than 1400+ locations in 25+ countries and system-wide sales of $1.2 billion. Throughout the world the company operates two brands: Church's Texas Chicken and Texas Chicken.

VP, Deputy General Counsel

This position is based in the Atlanta Restaurant Support Center and will support the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) and provide legal advice and counsel to internal clients on all aspects of the law including but not limited to franchising, real estate, general corporate, marketing and advertising, IT, intellectual property, data privacy and litigation matters. The diversity of this position requires a strong background in a variety of areas.

This individual is expected to protect the assets of Church’s by anticipating and helping to prevent potential issues and lawsuits. The Deputy General Counsel will also provide legal compliance training to Church’s employees and keep them up to date on new business laws and regulations affecting the business.

Position Requirements (Education, Qualifications, Experience):

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Experience: At least 10 years of legal experience, preferably with corporate in-house experience, and familiarity with franchise agreements, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property.
• Legal Expertise: A strong background in various legal areas, including franchising, real estate, corporate law, marketing, IT, intellectual property, data privacy, and litigation.
• Experience with drafting and filing of state and federal franchise disclosure documents in US and disclosure documents in other countries where required.
• Experience with legal support on new development agreements, franchise agreements and transfers in the US and internationally.
• Independence and Creativity: The ability to work independently with minimal oversight, think creatively, and provide practical legal solutions.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong skills in managing multiple internal stakeholders and balancing differing opinions and perspectives.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and analytical skills to provide clear and understandable legal advice.
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and gain the confidence and respect of senior management.
• Leadership and Management: Demonstrated leadership ability across multiple, cross-disciplinary teams, and the ability to manage relationships with outside counsel.
• Business Acumen: Solid understanding of business operations and the ability to manage several simultaneous projects under deadline pressure.
• Compliance and Training: Ability to provide legal compliance training and keep the organization updated on new business laws and regulations.
• Change Management: Excellent skills in leading large-scale transformation work and optimizing processes within a matrixed organization.
• Member in good standing of the State Bar

Joining Church’s Texas Chicken as the VP, Deputy General Counsel offers several compelling reasons:

1. Impactful Role : You'll have the opportunity to shape the brand story and strengthen community ties, making a meaningful impact both locally and nationally.
2. Dynamic Environment : The fast-paced nature of the role ensures that you'll be constantly engaged and challenged, perfect for those who thrive in dynamic settings.
3. Community Engagement : Church’s Texas Chicken is passionate about serving bold flavors and creating authentic connections, allowing you to be part of a team that values community engagement and positive impact.
4. Leadership Opportunities : As a key member of the leadership team, you'll play a pivotal role in driving engagement and leading transformation efforts across the organization.
5. Professional Growth : The diversity of legal areas you'll handle—from franchising to data privacy—provides a rich environment for professional development and growth.
6. Team-Oriented Culture : You'll be part of a highly team-oriented environment, working with exceptional colleagues who share your passion for excellence and community service.

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