Vice President, Legal, Corporate Transactions

CULTIVATE A BETTER WORLD

Food served fast does not have to be a typical fast-food experience. Chipotle has always done things differently, both in and out of our restaurants. We are changing the face of fast food, starting conversations, and directly supporting efforts to shift the future of farming and food. We hope you will join us as we continue to learn, evolve, and shape what comes next on our mission to make better food accessible to everyone.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The VP, Legal – Corporate Transactions is a key member of Chipotle’s Legal team and serves as a trusted advisor to business leaders across the organization. This role provides practical, business-oriented legal counsel on a broad range of complex commercial and transactional matters supporting Chipotle’s continued growth, restaurant operations, innovation, and enterprise priorities.

The VP, Legal will partner closely with leaders across Development and Real Estate, Supply Chain, Procurement, Technology, Marketing, Operations, Finance, and other functions to structure, negotiate, and execute agreements that enable the business while appropriately managing legal, commercial, operational, and reputational risk.

 This role requires an experienced attorney who can independently lead sophisticated transactions, operate effectively in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment, and translate complex legal issues into clear and actionable business guidance. The in house real estate lawyers, international lawyer, as well as the commercial transactional lawyers report to the VP, Legal Corporate Transactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
• Develop a deep understanding of Chipotle’s business, operating model, strategic priorities, and growth objectives.
• Advise business partners regarding contract terms, risk allocation, performance obligations, renewals, amendments, disputes, and termination rights.
• Proactively identify emerging legal and commercial risks and recommend practical solutions before they become business issues.
• Balance legal risk with business objectives and provide thoughtful recommendations rather than simply identifying legal concerns.
• Independently lead complex transactions from initial structuring and negotiation through execution and ongoing contract management, including with international partners.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a broad range of sophisticated commercial agreements supporting Chipotle’s restaurant and corporate operations.
• Advise on agreements supporting new restaurant openings, remodels, relocations, construction, design, development services, facilities, and related vendor relationships.
• Draft and negotiate agreements involving food, ingredients, packaging, equipment, distribution, logistics, professional services, and other goods and services critical to restaurant operations.
• Draft and negotiate SaaS, software licensing, cloud services, technology implementation, professional services, hardware, support, maintenance, and other technology-related agreements.
• Advise Marketing and other business teams on commercial agreements related to advertising, media, agencies, sponsorships, partnerships, promotions, digital platforms, content creation, and marketing technology.
• Help develop and maintain standardized contracts, templates, playbooks, negotiation guidelines, and approval frameworks; Develop self-service contracting resources; Use data and insights to identify opportunities to improve contracting efficiency, cycle time, and risk management.
• Identify opportunities to simplify and streamline contracting processes while maintaining appropriate controls. Support contract lifecycle management tool, workflow automation, artificial intelligence, and other legal technology designed to improve efficiency and business responsiveness.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior attorneys, legal professionals, and business partners as appropriate.
• Contribute to broader Legal department priorities and enterprise initiatives.
• Model Chipotle’s values and demonstrate strong judgment, collaboration, accountability, and integrity.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a top 25 law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• 15+ years of relevant legal experience, including both lawfirm and in house experience.
• Demonstrated ability to independently draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements.
• Proven ability to advise senior business leaders and influence decisions through sound legal and business judgment.
• Ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting a restaurant, retail, hospitality, consumer, franchise, or other large multi-unit organization.
• Experience supporting one or more of the following areas: real estate and development, supply chain, procurement, technology, digital, marketing, or restaurant operations.
• Experience negotiating technology and SaaS agreements.
• Experience supporting strategic sourcing or large-scale vendor relationships.
• Experience developing contracting standards, playbooks, templates, or process improvements.
• Familiarity with contract lifecycle management platforms and emerging legal technology, including AI-enabled tools.

PAY TRANSPARENCY

A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range for this position is $350,000-400,000. You are also eligible for annual cash bonuses and equity awards based upon performance and other factors. Actual compensation offered may vary depending on skill level, experience, and/or education. Chipotle offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k, sick leave, vacation time, and much more.  Visit https://jobs.chipotle.com/benefits

Chipotle Mexican Grill is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. As a people-first company rooted in values, our purpose extends beyond serving nutritious food using real ingredients. It means hiring world-class individuals and fostering a culture that champions diversity, ensures equity, and celebrates inclusion. All qualified applicants, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

To request a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, job interview, and/or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact ADAaccommodations@chipotle.com

WHO WE ARE

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle has restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit www.chipotle.com.

Chipotle Mexican Grill is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair employment practices at all levels of the organization without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. As a values-driven, people-first company, we are committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and have the opportunity to realize their full potential. All qualified applicants, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.    

Qualified applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or certain state or local laws. Please contact ADAaccommodations@chipotle.com if you need an accommodation due to a disability to complete an application, job interview, and/or to otherwise participate in the hiring process. This email does not respond to non-accommodations related requests.