Lead Counsel - Americas

About BNI

Established in 1985, BNI is the world’s largest business referral network. With over 300,000 small-to medium-size business members in nearly 11,000 chapters across 76+ countries, we are a global company with local footprints. Our proven approach provides members with a structured, positive, and professional referral program that enables them to sharpen their business skills, develop meaningful, long-term relationships, and experience business growth.

Visit BNI.com to learn how BNI has impacted the lives of our members and how it can help you achieve your business goals.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Global Lead Counsel, and based at BNI’s Global Headquarters in Charlotte, the Lead Counsel, Americas will help leaders worldwide proactively manage risk. This individual will provide general education related to risk management, work on enterprise-wide legal & regulatory projects, handle day-to-day legal matters, and manage external counsel. This is an excellent opportunity to become an important part of a growing team and a growing company. High performers will have significant growth opportunities available to them.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Learning BNI’s unique history, model, culture, and Core Values
• Building relationships with key internal stakeholders
• Acting as strategic partner for all legal services for the Americas market and trusted advisor to executive leaders
• Managing the legal team members in the market
• In conjunction with Global Lead Counsel and global legal team, developing and articulating a clear vision for the legal function within the Americas business
• Understanding the business priorities and contributing to business discussions and decisions
• Translating legal advice into commercial business language and actionable steps
• Advising on new and existing laws that impact the business
• Maintaining knowledge of the company’s legal documents and operations
• Crafting and reviewing legal strategy in response to litigation
• Facilitating filings of licensing forms and other statutory requirements
• Assessing current practices and developing a roadmap to manage risk more effectively
• Implementing policies and controls to help the organization avoid distractions
• Providing general education throughout the organization on matters of importance
• Performing other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required:

• Franchise experience is a plus for this role
• 5-10 years of commercial legal experience (five years of that being in an in-house setting) in a lead role
• Experience in some or all the following areas: transactions, legal compliance training, data privacy, litigation, intellectual property, HR matters, managing external counsel, vendor contract negotiations
• Familiarity and comfort working within a growing global organization
• High sense of urgency and attention to detail
• Law degree with high grade point average
• Strong references, clean background, customer service orientation
• Professional demeanor with a sense of humility and sense of humor
• Excellent oral communication skills with a high level of professional confidence
• Used to working in a fast-paced, fun, and collegial environment
• Ability to perform some international travel

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

We are a company that focuses on Building Relationships. With that, we are only hiring for in-person opportunities based in our existing offices.

This is a {full-time, exempt paid} position. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

BNI’s wonderful culture based on Givers Gain® is lived out every day by our team and over 300,000 members globally.

Learn more at BNI.com

An equal opportunity employer.