Counsel, Contracts

Who are we looking for?
Choice Hotels, one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, has an exciting new opportunity as our Counsel, Commercial Contracts in their Legal Department. The Legal Department is the team that provides legal advice and counsel throughout the commercial contract lifecycle and partners with company stakeholders to achieve the business objectives.
We invite you to apply today for our Counsel, Commercial Contracts role today and #MakeItYourChoice.
Your Responsibilities

• Review, analyze, draft and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements (revenue driving and spend) and partner with business stakeholders to drive results that align with corporate objectives;
• Oversee and manage the day-to-day aspects and processes of the Contract Specialist; monitor workloads and work product, establish objectives, measure results, and ensure employee accountability and development;
• Assist with the management of the commercial contract lifecycle from intake, through review and negotiation, to execution and termination and support the Legal Department's efforts to ensure company-wide compliance with internal and external policies;
• Participate in customer outreach to solidify partnerships between Legal and other Departments.

Your Experience, Skills & Competencies

• Law Degree required. Bar membership required
• 6+ years overall legal experience in a business/commercial law setting; at least 3+ years practicing in a law firm or medium/large in-house legal department
• Must have relevant experience with commercial contracts including professional services agreements, supplier contracts and marketing agreement, routine and complex technology/software agreements
• Must have exceptional organizational skills and the ability to consistently prioritize, coordinate and satisfy numerous competing demands and successfully achieve deadline driven results that effectively achieve business objectives
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), drafting and negotiating skills
• Strong business acumen, problem solving skills and legal judgment
• Willingness and desire to learn and understand the Company's various business departments and operations to build effective "business partnerships" with internal clients and drive results
• Must be able to uphold Choice's Values & Performance Principles of collaboration, performance excellence, sense of urgency, openness to new ideas, inclusion & diversity, integrity, customer focus, and respect.

Your Team
This is a leadership role that will report to the Senior Counsel, Commercial Contracts. You will have one (1) direct report and collaborate with cross functional departments on a regular basis.
Your Work Location
As our Counsel, Commercial Contracts, you will be based in our beautiful, state-of-the-art worldwide corporate headquarters in North Bethesda, MD. Less than 15 miles from Washington, DC, we're located one block away from the North Bethesda Metro station, with service on the Red Line and the MARC Brunswick line, easy access to I-270, and plenty of free parking provided by Choice Hotels.
Right now, our associates in corporate headquarters are working in a hybrid environment: four (4) days per week in the office and virtual from your home office the remaining day. We provide flexibility and encourage ongoing communication with your leadership to establish expectations about your unique needs.
About Choice
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. With nearly 7,500 hotels, representing nearly 630,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories as of September 30, 2022, the Choice® family of hotel brands provide business and leisure travelers with a range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upper upscale, upper mid-scale, midscale, extended-stay, and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges® loyalty program offers members a faster way to rewards, with personalized benefits starting on day one. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.
At our worldwide corporate headquarters in North Bethesda, MD and St. Louis Park, MN as well as our technology center in Scottsdale, AZ, and through our associates around the globe, we keep Choice hotels thriving by serving as a champion for our franchisees and providing cutting-edge technology.
*** PLEASE NOTE: This role is not eligible for sponsorship ***
Ability to model Choice's Cultural Values: Welcome and Respect Everyone, Be Bold, Be Quick, Listen, Be Curious and Show Integrity.