Director, Legal Leasing & Strategy

Do you want to help revolutionize a major industry? At Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), you’ll have the opportunity to impact the future of real estate by developing innovative and engaging places that reinvent being together. Come join a team that builds excitement about working at URW. You’ll get to work with leaders who are passionate about tackling changing consumer behavior with innovative experiences. All this bold vision means the company culture embraces evolution and change. We believe there is no \"perfect\" candidate and want to encourage applying even if all the requirements listed aren’t met. If you're passionate about URW and looking to learn and grow, then we look forward to reviewing your application!We are currently looking for our:Director, Legal Leasing (Based out of World Trade Center office, New York, NY)What we offerWe are excited to offer this opportunity to join us URW as the Director of Legal Leasing and Strategy. We value diverse perspectives and innovative thinking. The Director of Legal Leasing and Strategy is a dynamic and energetic senior legal leader who serves as a change agent within the Company’s legal team. This position is perfect for individuals who enjoy tackling challenges, energizing and inspiring teams, and are committed to fostering significant growth and transformation. With a strategic mindset and a commitment to excellence, the Director will not only oversee all legal aspects of legal leasing, but will inspire the team to challenge existing practices, embrace innovation, and push for bold changes that elevate our standards and processes. This leader demonstrates boldness by collaborating with Leasing, Asset Management, and senior leadership to achieve business goals, establish future ambitions, and promote a culture where exceptional legal documentation and innovative solutions are standard practice. This leader will champion new ways of working, and lead the efficient negotiation and execution of complex retail, office, and mixed-use lease documentation across the portfolio, all while energizing the team to reach new heights in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.ScopeDepartment Leadership & StrategyCo-Lead the Legal Leasing department, establishing strategy, priorities, goals, workflows, and performance standards.Oversee a team of attorneys, paralegals, and coordinators; provide coaching, training, and professional development to strengthen negotiation, communication, legal, and business skills.Ensure alignment between legal leasing operations and the Company’s leasing, operational, and financial objectives.Maintain strong internal partnerships with Leasing leadership, Asset Management, Development, IT, and Senior Executives.Monitor departmental KPIs, resource needs, and workload allocation to ensure timely and accurate delivery of all leasing documentation.Legal Drafting, Negotiation & AdvisoryOversee and participate in the drafting and negotiation of leases, amendments, LOIs, subleases, assignments, temporary licenses, and related documents.Provide high‑level legal and business counsel on landlord/tenant issues, defaults, disputes, and other real estate matters.Ensure consistency and standardization of lease language, templates, policies, and procedures across the organization.Guide teams through complex legal and business issues, offering solutions that align with Company strategy while minimizing risk.Operational ExcellenceEnsure leasing documentation is processed efficiently through execution, including coordination between legal, leasing, operations, and other internal departments.Oversee development and maintenance of legal leasing databases, systems, and tools in partnership with IT.Implement compliance best practices, legal updates, and continued education initiatives to support a strong, informed legal practice.Maintain deep knowledge of the Company’s tenant portfolio, business priorities, and market considerations.Collaboration & CommunicationServe as key liaison between Legal and Leasing teams, ensuring clear communication, issue escalation, and timely delivery of solutions.Advise senior leadership on legal trends, portfolio risks, negotiation strategies, and operational process improvements.Represent the Legal Leasing function in cross‑functional initiatives, strategic planning, and portfolio decision‑making.What we’re looking forMember of the New York Bar in good standing.12+ years of experience negotiating and drafting complex retail, office, and/or mixed‑use lease documents; REIT or major retail/real estate company experience strongly preferred.Experience leading or managing a legal team in a high‑volume transactional environment.Strong academic background preferred; combination of big‑law and in‑house experience ideal.Exceptional drafting, negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects and deliver results under tight timelines.Strong business acumen with the ability to integrate legal judgment with practical business needs.Positive, collaborative, solutions‑oriented mindset with the ability to work in a dynamic, fast‑paced, team‑focused environment.Demonstrated adaptability and resilience, with a growth mindset that embraces change and proactively seeks solutions in evolving circumstances.CompensationExempt$185,000 - $230,000 per year + Discretionary Annual BonusWhat is important to usUnibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) is driven by an entrepreneurial foundation of talented and ambitious employees who embrace change, strive for innovation, and know when to venture into uncharted terrain. Teams within URW are collaborative and thrive by working together to seize opportunity and solve challenges. Employees receive mentorship and guidance while being empowered to drive their initiatives, embracing their individuality and unique backgrounds. URW‘s flagship destinations are interwoven into the community fabric, and we give employees the power to be impactful in their work and lead meaningful change in our communities through volunteering, DE&I programming and leading ESG efforts. URW is an innovator and trend setter in experiential entertainment and is making bold moves to be a brand that creates inspiring consumer experiences in-person and digitally. Breaking beyond conventional beliefs, URW is surprising and delighting customers by reinventing being together and creating memorable moments.Our company purpose – to Reinvent Being Together – is about reimagining how individuals and communities come together, socialize, and enjoy dynamic experiences alongside one another in entirely new ways. We are at our best when we are TOGETHER safely and joyfully