Senior Real Estate Counsel, Retail & Restaurant Leases

Savory Fund; Draper (UT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Savory Fund seeks an experienced Real Estate Counsel to support a growing multi-brand restaurant portfolio. The role offers ownership of leasing and development matters, with strong emphasis on tenant-side retail negotiations.

Ideal candidate has JD, active US bar, and 5–10 years in commercial real estate, especially retail leasing. This role requires collaboration, precision, and the ability to manage tight deal timelines in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• J.D. and bar membership in good standing (Utah admission or eligibility preferred).
• 5–10 years of commercial real estate experience with a focus on retail lease negotiation.
• Tenant-side retail leasing experience strongly preferred.
• Restaurant, hospitality, franchise, multi-unit retail, or private equity experience is a plus.
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong drafting and communication skills.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deal timelines.
• Comfort with technology, lease administration tools, and document management systems.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and draft letters of intent, commercial retail leases, and lease amendments for tenant portfolio brands.
• Handle renewals, extensions, assignments, subleases, guaranties, SNDAs, estoppels, and work letters.
• Support site selection and development activity, including title, survey, zoning, use restriction, and entitlement review.
• Lead real estate due diligence for acquisitions, brand transactions, refinancings, and exits.
• Support lease administration by tracking critical dates, options, exclusives, and other lease obligations.
• Develop and maintain lease templates, playbooks, and negotiation standards to drive consistency across the portfolio.
• Independently manage a high volume of real estate matters, escalating as appropriate.
• Support the Office of General Counsel on general corporate matters, financing transactions, vendor and commercial contracts.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Collaborative

Tech savvy

Education

J.D. and active U.S. state bar membership

Tools

Lease administration tools

Document management systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Savory Fund seeks an experienced Real Estate Counsel to support a growing multi-brand restaurant portfolio. The role offers ownership of leasing and development matters, with strong emphasis on tenant-side retail negotiations.

Ideal candidate has JD, active US bar, and 5–10 years in commercial real estate, especially retail leasing. This role requires collaboration, precision, and the ability to manage tight deal timelines in a fast-paced environment.