ABOUT THE POSITION 

This position provides the unique opportunity to serve as both the General Counsel of the trade association of leading retailers and the President of its affiliated trade association dedicated to leading retailers’ litigation-related needs. The ideal candidate will inspire confidence and respect of association member executives and staff, enjoy discovering and building bridges among expected and unexpected partners, and bring substantial legal leadership experience to the table accompanied by a genuine interest in continued evolution and growth.

WHO WE ARE 

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is the U.S. trade association for leading retailers. Through collaboration and thought leadership, RILA convenes top retail executives to network, share best practices, advance ideas, and act to effect change.  

Directed by the chief legal officers of the country's leading retail companies, the Retail Litigation Center (RLC) is the trade association RILA established in 2010 to design ways to help leading retailers solve complex, common litigation issues through collaboration among smart inhouse litigators and their outside counsel defenders.
 
RILA and the RLC value a work environment where employees can thrive. We rely on teamwork, respect, trust, flexibility, and commitment to serve the interests of our members and our teammates.   
 

CORE VALUES

We collaborate as a Team to: 
•    Serve our Members
•    Drive Change
•    Embody Integrity  
 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS 

Reports to:

President & CEO, RILA; RLC Board of Directors

Direct reports:

EVP & Deputy General Counsel (RILA); Vice President of Legal Affairs (RILA); Vice President & Litigation Counsel (RLC); Paralegal & Director of Legal Affairs (RLC/RILA)

Other Key Relationships:   

RILA Board of Directors; CLO’s/GC’s & other Senior Member Company Executives; Member Internal Subject Matter Experts; RILA Senior Staff

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Central Responsibilities of Both Roles

•    Convene retail legal leaders to effect meaningful change for the retail industry through the legal system.
•    Develop best-in-class networking and educational resources for the overall retail corporate legal community, including substantial collaboration toward the annual RILA/RLC Retail Law Conference.
•    Develop and support RILA and RLC team members to facilitate their professional advancement and provide enhanced value to trade association members.
•    Develop and advance the membership of both associations. 

President, Retail Litigation Center

•    Work with the RLC Board of Directors to advance the retail industry’s goals in the courts. 
•    Drive process to analyze issues on which to engage and develop litigation strategies. 
•    Identify emerging litigation trends and develop proactive programming (e.g., white papers, model briefs, webinars, top-to-top conversations) to help members avoid litigation.
•    Grow and maintain the RLC’s retail membership through valued programming, smart communication, and unique opportunities to connect retail members on litigation issues.
•    Develop RLC law firm member relationships and manage their engagement in RLC matters.
•    Manage all aspects of the RLC’s governance, including semi-annual board and member. meetings, budgeting, marketing, and all other aspects of the RLC’s corporate legal health.

Sr. EVP & General Counsel, Retail Industry Leaders Association

•    Lead engagement with retail chief legal officers though the RILA Chief Legal Officer Committee. 
•    Oversee RILA legal team regulatory and compliance functions for members, including internal audit, compliance, product safety, environmental compliance, FTC, SEC and others. 
•    Provide clear, practical legal advice and counsel to RILA on matters relevant to the legal integrity of the association, including antitrust and corporate governance.
•    Work cooperatively with RILA senior team to recruit, retain and enhance engagement of members. 
•    Develop and maintain professional relationships with legal community of relevant trade associations and law firms to facilitate coordination and cooperation to achieve member goals.
•    Assist in the executive management of the Association.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE 

•    12+ years of service in legal leadership roles demonstrating an ability to manage high-performing legal teams of both internal and external participants.
•    Demonstrated facility convening and communicating with high level corporate executives. 
•    Track record of driving strategic and innovative thinking to use the law to advance organizational and/or industry goals. 
•    Experience working on complex litigation and regulatory matters.
•    Experience working for or with retail or consumer-focused businesses.
•    Public company experience and/or trade association leadership experience.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES 

Legal Leadership

•    Demonstrated experience evaluating legal risks and opportunities and developing and executing plans to achieve macro goals.
•    Possesses a deep understanding of public policy and the associated role of regulators and the courts.

Leading People

•    Enjoys convening and connecting high level executives to achieve broader goals collectively.
•    Collaborates with the team to establish clear and ambitious performance goals, manage projects, solve problems, discuss challenging issues, and learn as a group.
•    Delegates roles thoughtfully to free self to work at a more strategic level.

Leading Change 

•    Develops and communicates vision for organization with clear rationale and appeal.
•    Operates with the confidence to lead effectively and the humility necessary to adapt when necessary.
•    Enthusiastically seeks partnerships across the ecosystem to accelerate and broaden impact.

Personal and Professional Characteristics

•    Truly excellent legal analytical, organizational and writing skills.
•    Comfort facilitating and leading group discussions toward productive outcomes.
•    Enjoyment from finding connections and building bridges across expected and unexpected members of the retail and trade association ecosystems.
•    A visionary and strategically-oriented leader.
•    An adaptable leader with a team-player attitude.
•    A deep passion for the mission and success of the RLC, RILA, its employees, and its members.
•    Genuine, open, and active listener who seeks input and values the insights and contributions of all colleagues, partners and peers.

General Inquiries: Please contact RILA VP for Administration, Stephanie Standish, at stephanie.standish@rila.org. 

Confidential Inquiries: We recognize some prospective candidates may want to discuss the position confidentially before formally expressing interest. For such inquiries, please contact Tim Baer at tim.baer@trbpartnersllc.com. All inquiries will remain confidential. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $425,000 - $450,000 based on experience
• Flexible and hybrid office environment (3 days in office)
• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Employer-sponsored Life Insurance, STD, and LTD Coverage
• 401(K)/Roth 401(K) Retirement Plan with employer match
• Mental Wellness Health Reimbursement Arrangement
• Unlimited Paid Time Off + 12 Federal holiday closures
• Professional development opportunities
• Team outings/gatherings

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RILA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.