This individual leads the legal team responsible for franchise agreement compliance issues and renewal processes across the entire KFC US system. Additionally, this role leads the cross-functional team responsible for KFC brand standards implementation, maintenance and communication to the KFC US franchise system.

What You’ll Be Serving Up:

Lead cross functional team responsible for KFC System standards, policies, and procedures which define restaurant requirements and expectations. Oversee the preparation, maintenance, and communication of KFC System standards ensuring consistency with KFC franchise agreements and other legal requirements. Partner with and advise cross functional team members regarding the drafting and implementation of KFC System Standards; resulting in enforceable documentation which supports business goals.  Enable document retention practices regarding KFC System standards to comply with Yum policies and legal requirements. Lead and manage all franchisee default and termination matters, including recommending processes and collaborating with cross- functional leaders to identify strategies and implement solutions to resolve issues in support of KFC company goals; providing analysis and drafting various correspondence, including work out agreements, warnings, and default notices; consulting with outside counsel when needed and elevates issues to attorney at appropriate times. Manage franchise management paralegal who oversees the analysis and execution of the food safety and financial default processes. Resolves issues with cross functional partners and elevates complex issues and provides recommendations to attorney, when appropriate. Serve as primary Lead and Legal manager for all renewal process, including managing franchise management paralegals, ensuring renewal documentation are prepared for and executed by franchisees in a timely and accurate manner.  Ensure all franchisee compliance renewal eligibility requirements are met.  Identify renewal strategies to further KFC company goals in partnership with cross functional peers to mitigate closures. Supervise renewal documentation processes to ensure they are prepared and executed in a timely and accurate manner.  Identify and implement necessary improvements to the franchise renewal process, including documentation systems, record keeping and other aspects of the franchise administration process.  Support additional project teams cross-functionally as needed to provide legal support to the business on current issues/projects and in support of larger company initiatives.  Lead Research and analyze information relevant to legal issues related to franchise and other matters, prepare agreements and legal documents, draft correspondence.  Provide and develop legal support, analysis, and recommendations to cross functional closure mitigation team, incorporating KFC’s strategic objectives in advice. Identify and execute necessary improvements to the franchise administration process, including documentation systems, record keeping and other aspects of the franchise administration processes. Assess and analyze other complex franchise issues, often in conjunction with Legal Counsel and Assoc. Manager, Franchise Administration.

What You Bring to the Table:

Education/Certifications:

Bachelor’s degree required; paralegal certificate preferred 

Experience:

8 years’ experience in large law firm or fast-paced corporate environment; franchise, litigation, corporate and contract experience a plus.  Working knowledge of federal/state franchise laws and KFC’s franchise documentation a plus.  Excellent verbal and written communications skills; must be detail-oriented, highly motivated and exceptionally organized; must be comfortable working independently and in a team environment; strong analytical skills; able to identify key issues and contribute to strategic decisions.  Collaborate effectively with internal and external teams at all levels. Manage outside counsel and coordinate effectively with internal and external teams at all levels. Strong professional presence.  Ability to network and influence others. Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships.  Demonstrated effective critical thinking skills, analytical and conflict resolution skills.