Counsel, Technology/IT

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Lead the negotiation, drafting, and execution of complex, strategic brand-level and enterprise-wide technology transactions critical to the operations of Inspire, its brands and restaurants, including SaaS agreements, software license agreements, hardware purchase agreements, data licensing agreements, consulting agreements, proof-of-concept agreements, statements of work, and similar arrangements supporting technology initiatives across the portfolio of brands. 

• Interpret and advise internal clients on the company’s rights, obligations, restrictions, and other contractual provisions in technology and commercial agreements, including explaining the legal and business implications of proposed actions under existing contracts. 

• Provide strategic legal advice and counsel on a variety of licensing, technology, commercial, and related legal matters, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence. 

• Support the company’s AI governance program by advising on AI-related issues, reviewing and vetting use cases, and helping ensure appropriate contractual protections are in place. 

• Stay current on market-standard AI contractual provisions and legal, regulatory, and industry developments applicable to artificial intelligence and related technologies. 

• Support strategic enterprise-level initiatives and innovation efforts, including analyzing legal risks associated with new and existing technology initiatives from ideation through implementation. 

• Communicate, coordinate, and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including privacy, cybersecurity, technology, procurement, and business stakeholders, to develop strategies for addressing legal issues, managing risk, and enabling the business to move quickly and responsibly. 

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with technology and business teams at both the Inspire Brands enterprise level and individual brand level. 

• Assist with the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of contract templates, playbooks, and standard provisions used by the Technology/IT legal team. 

• Complete projects and tasks as assigned and provide general support to the team. 

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS 

• Juris Doctor from an accredited U.S. law school. 

• Active member in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar. 

EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS 

• 5+ years of technology and commercial transactional experience at a law firm and/or in-house legal department. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

• Substantial experience with technology and commercial contracting, including enterprise technology agreements, SaaS agreements, software and hardware license and purchase agreements, consulting agreements, and statements of work. Experience contracting for AI technologies and advising on AI-related matters is preferred. 

• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills, including the ability to lead contract negotiations that achieve appropriate legal protection for the company and strong commercial outcomes. 

• Ability to analyze, interpret, and clearly communicate legal strategies, contract requirements, and risk considerations to business stakeholders. 

• High level of agility, initiative, sound judgment, and ability to manage a high volume of work with minimal supervision while prioritizing multiple deadlines. 

• Highly motivated self-starter with a strong work ethic and the ability to work effectively under pressure with tight deadlines and manage competing priorities efficiently. 

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build trusted internal client relationships, work effectively across all levels of the company, and contribute to a collaborative, team-oriented culture.