Head of Legal Commercial Operations - USA

JOIN OUR TEAM!

At Couche-Tard/Circle K, our mission is simple: to make our customer’s lives a little easier everyday. You may have already stopped for coffee, refueling your car, or eating something on the go. Then, you know what Couche-Tard/Circle K is. We have grown into a successful global company with over 16,000 stores in 29 countries, serving almost 9 million customers every day. In total, more than 150,000 people work in our stores and offices.  We make journeys easier by offering fast and friendly service. We care about our people and our communities, and we look for ways to uplift people first. Wherever your journey’s going, we can help you get there.   Are you ready to grow your career? Let's grow together!

Department: Legal Affairs - USA

Location: Charlotte, NC, USA

THE ROLE

As part of the Legal Affairs team and reporting to the Chief of Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary, the Head of Legal Affairs – USA will lead the commercial legal operation function in USA with a focus on strategic alignment, operational efficiency, and proactive risk management. This role is pivotal in supporting the Legal Department’s continued evolution into a more collaborative, client-centric, centralized, data-driven, and cost-effective legal organization.

As a member of the Global Legal Leadership Team, the Head of Legal Affairs – USA will play a pivotal role in shaping the legal strategy and governance framework of the organization.

KEY RESPONSABILITIES

This role requires a seasoned legal executive capable of navigating complex legal landscapes, influencing cross-functional decision-making, and driving legal innovation aligned with business growth.

• Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Lead and mentor the Legal Team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous development. Collaborate with business units to align legal strategies with commercial objectives. Serve as a key advisor to senior executives on legal and strategic business matters.
• Corporate & Commercial Legal Leadership: Provide expert legal advice on corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters affecting the company. Draft, review, and negotiate high-value commercial agreements, including joint ventures, partnerships, and strategic alliances. Develop and implement company-wide legal policies, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Ensure compliance with applicable local and international laws, including data protection, competition regulations, and retail-specific regulations such as consumer protection laws. Monitor changes in laws and regulations, advising leadership on potential impacts to the business. Assist in the development of internal compliance programs and provide training to key stakeholders.
• Risk Management & Dispute Resolution: Identify and mitigate legal risks associated with business operations and strategic projects.

OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and manage a team of lawyers and paralegals, fostering a high-performance culture aligned with strategic legal priorities, and ensuring their development and engagement.
• Provide strategic legal support and advice to all US business units and executive leadership, offering practical, risk-aware guidance and training on legal matters impacting US operations.
• Provide management with legal and strategic advice on a broad range of legal issues (commercial, marketing, retail, regulatory, etc.).
• Manage, administer, draft, and negotiate strategic and complex contracts, creating and leveraging standardized templates and risk matrices where applicable.
• Establish and manage the US legal budget, monitor legal spend, and support cost control initiatives.
• Oversee mandates given to outside counsel, ensuring compliance with billing, performance, and cost targets.
• Ensure the company is represented with integrity and consistency, implementing strategies to mitigate commercial and litigation risk and reputational harm.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies, contributing to a culture of accountability and ethical conduct.
• Develop and deliver training on legal procedures and policies to promote awareness and reduce legal risk.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legal areas and contribute to continuous improvement of legal practices.
• Perform all related professional functions in support of the Legal Department’s transformation and strategic goals.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

We want you to join our team! Here's what we're looking for:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in law
• Member of an American Bar

Experience:

• At least 15 years of relevant experience in commercial and business law, ideally with an international company or large law firm.
• Management experience.

Knowledge and skills:

• Strong ability to lead a team of professionals and ensure their development and commitment.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead, coach and foster a collaborative work environment.
• Proven ability to organize work of the team, work under pressure and manage several complex files concurrently within established deadline.
• Strong decision-making, analytical and strategic skills to align legal strategies with overall business objectives.
• Strong communication, drafting and contract negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to lead negotiations, manage complex transactions, and handle high-stakes legal matters.
• Excellent analytical and synthesizing skills, ability to popularize legal concepts.
• Client centric approach, facilitator of change, appreciation of entrepreneurial culture and ability to adapt to a constantly changing environment.
• Willingness to learn and to invest in the development of the Legal Department.

Circle K is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA) and all state and local disability laws. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the ADA and certain state or local laws as long as it does not impose an undue hardship on the Company. Please inform the Company’s Human Resources Representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

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