SVP, Deputy General Counsel

Connecticut Fine Wine & Spirits; Maryland; On-site; USD 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health care plans

401(k)

Disability & life insurance

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Total Wine & More is seeking a Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel to lead the Legal and Loss Prevention functions in Bethesda, MD. This second-in-command role manages day-to-day legal services, compliance programs, litigation management, licensing, contracts, and employment guidance to mitigate enterprise risk.

You will direct a ~30-person team across Legal and Loss Prevention, act as strategic advisor to senior leaders, and partner with the General Counsel on talent strategy, budget

Qualifications

• JD required, active bar status in MD/DC/VA
• 15+ years progressive legal leadership experience
• Experience advising executive leadership on enterprise matters

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of Legal and Loss Prevention
• Oversee legal portfolio: contracts, licensing, employment, litigation
• Advise senior leaders on risk, governance, and strategy
• Direct litigation and compliance, manage outside counsel
• Support growth initiatives including acquisitions and partnerships
• Develop and lead a high-performing legal organization
• Ensure effective risk management and cost control

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive communication

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

M&A / corporate growth

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bachelor's degree

Job description

About the Role

Total Wine & More is seeking a SVP, Deputy General Counsel, to join our Legal team in Bethesda, MD. This role serves as the second-in-command of the Legal organization and is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, management, and execution of enterprise legal and Loss Prevention functions. Acting on behalf of the General Counsel when appropriate, this role ensures the effective delivery of legal services, compliance programs, litigation management, licensing activities, contract support, employment legal guidance, and enterprise risk mitigation initiatives. This role directly or indirectly leads approximately 30 team members across Legal and Loss Prevention, including Associate General Counsels, Paralegals, and Loss Prevention leadership, with accountability for organizational effectiveness, talent strategy, succession planning, budget stewardship, and operational execution. This role serves as a strategic advisor to senior leaders while escalating the Company’s most significant legal, regulatory, and reputational risks to the General Counsel. This role reports to the General Counsel.

You will

• Lead the day-to-day operations, priorities, and performance of the Legal and Loss Prevention organizations, ensuring effective execution of legal strategy, resource allocation, talent management, and service delivery across the enterprise.
• Oversee the Company’s legal portfolio, including commercial contracts, licensing, employment legal support, litigation management, regulatory compliance activities, investigations, and governance matters, ensuring consistent and practical legal guidance across all functions.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leaders by identifying and assessing legal, operational, financial, and reputational risks and recommending balanced business solutions that align with enterprise objectives.
• Direct enterprise litigation, regulatory compliance, and exception management efforts through internal teams and outside counsel, ensuring effective risk mitigation, cost management, and timely resolution of matters.
• Lead Legal support for business growth initiatives, including acquisitions, strategic partnerships, new operating models, store expansion, tier-system evolution, licensing strategies, and other transformational opportunities.
• Oversee enterprise Loss Prevention and Safety strategies, ensuring effective asset protection, workplace safety, regulatory compliance, investigations, incident response, and risk management practices across the organization.
• Develop a high-performing Legal and Loss Prevention organization through workforce planning, succession management, leadership development, coaching, performance management, and organizational capability building.

You will come with

• Bachelor’s degree preferred (or equivalent experience)
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school required
• 15+ years Progressive legal experience leading teams and advising executive leadership on enterprise legal, compliance, risk, and operational matters, including commercial transactions, governance, licensing, employment law, litigation management, and M&A or other strategic growth initiatives. Strong analytical skills (forecasting, financial models, and variance analysis) preferred
• ATT-JD – Attorney Active and in good standing with bar admission in Maryland, D.C., or Virginia required
• Strong people leadership and team management capability, including performance coaching, prioritization, succession planning, workforce planning, and leadership development
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal issues into business-ready recommendations
• Deep business judgment, analytical rigor, intellectual curiosity, and intellectual agility to spot issues across multiple legal, operational, and commercial disciplines
• Expertise in commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, licensing, litigation management, employment law, corporate governance, M&A, antitrust, Loss Prevention/Safety, and risk assessment and avoidance
• Ability to facilitate transactions and business expansion while balancing smart risk taking, compliance expectations, and enterprise priorities
• Emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and listening skills to build trust and alignment across Legal, Loss Prevention, Operations, Finance, HR, Store Development, and executive stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple high-stakes priorities in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment while maintaining sound judgment, confidentiality, and composure

We offer

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Generous store discounts
• Health care plans (medical, prescription, dental, vision)
• 401(k), HSA, FSA, Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Disability & life insurance coverage
• Paid parental leave
• Pet insurance
• Critical illness and accident insurance
• Discounted home and auto insurance
• College tuition assistance
• Career development & product training
• Consumer classes
• & More!

Crafted for you

We recognize our team members are our biggest asset, and we value the critical role each play in contributing to the company’s success. It is our commitment to support and provide access to the resources needed to take care of their health and wellbeing. That is why we offer a variety of benefits, tools, and resources to support through our Total Rewards program.

Total Wine & More considers several factors when establishing compensation. Compensation may vary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, market location, job-related knowledge, skills and/or experience. The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location. Estimated salaries determined by third parties have not been validated by Total Wine & More.

Total Wine & More is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Total Wine & More makes reasonable accommodations during all aspects of the employment process, including during the interview process. Total Wine & More is a Drug Free Workplace.

The information provided above indicates the general nature and level of work required of the position and is not a comprehensive list of all responsibilities or qualifications. Benefits list is only a highlight of some of the benefits offered to team members; eligibility for certain benefits apply. The anticipated close date of this posting is 120 days from the posted date indicated above.

Worker Type: Regular Pay Range: $300,000.00 - $450,000.00 Annual