VP, Legal Corporate Development

Detroit Pistons; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Pistons are seeking an accomplished legal executive to lead complex corporate transactions, real estate matters, and strategic initiatives. You will serve as a senior advisor to executive leadership, offering commercially minded guidance on corporate development, real estate and partnerships.

The ideal candidate has the deal-making experience of a senior partner or senior in-house leader, exceptional writing and analytical skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships with

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with a state bar, with eligibility to practice in Michigan.
• 10+ years of progressive legal experience with significant responsibility for complex corporate, commercial, and real estate transactions.
• Experience independently structuring, negotiating, and closing sophisticated real estate and corporate transactions; law firm partner or senior in-house preferred.
• Strong business acumen, negotiation skills, and ability to provide strategic guidance to executive leadership.
• Exceptional legal drafting, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in sports, entertainment, corporate partnerships, or consumer-facing industries is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with senior executives, external partners, government agencies, and civic stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and negotiate complex corporate and commercial transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, strategic investments, and development agreements.
• Oversee real estate transactions from structuring and due diligence through negotiating, financing, closing, and post-closing obligations.
• Serve as a strategic legal advisor to executive leadership, providing practical guidance on corporate development, business opportunities, and organizational initiatives.
• Draft, review, and negotiate sophisticated transaction documents, commercial agreements, and executive-level legal recommendations.
• Advise on corporate partnerships, sponsorships, vendor agreements, and other revenue-generating arrangements, including NBA rules and policies.
• Build and maintain relationships with developers, lenders, outside counsel, municipal officials, civic leaders, and external business partners.
• Partner with internal teams and government stakeholders on development approvals, permitting, public-private initiatives, and related matters.
• Evaluate legal, regulatory, financial, and reputational risks while developing commercially sound solutions that support business objectives.
• Lead outside counsel and cross-functional transaction teams, ensuring effective coordination, timely execution, and successful deal closings.

Skills

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Commercial law

Leadership

Legal drafting

Stakeholder management

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Description

Are you looking to be part of a high-performing team of go-getters who make a difference both on and off the court? Join the Detroit Pistons as we harness the power of basketball to unite our city, elevate our fans, and drive lasting community impact.

We are seeking an accomplished legal executive to lead complex business transactions, real estate matters and strategic legal initiatives while building trusted relationships across the organization and with external stakeholders.

The VP, Legal Corporate Development will serve as a senior advisor to executive leadership, providing commercially minded legal counsel on corporate development, real estate acquisitions and dispositions, development-related transactions, partnerships and other business arrangements.

The ideal candidate brings the judgment and deal-making experience of a senior law firm partner or seasoned in-house transactional leader, exceptional legal writing and analytical skills, and the ability to establish and sustain productive relationships with clients, business partners, municipal officials and civic leaders.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and negotiate complex corporate and commercial transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, strategic investments, and development agreements.
• Oversee real estate transactions from structuring and due diligence through negotiation, financing, closing, and post-closing obligations.
• Serve as a strategic legal advisor to executive leadership, providing practical guidance on corporate development, business opportunities, and organizational initiatives.
• Draft, review, and negotiate sophisticated transaction documents, commercial agreements, and executive-level legal recommendations.
• Advise on corporate partnerships, sponsorships, vendor agreements, and other revenue-generating arrangements, including applicable NBA rules and policies.
• Build and maintain relationships with developers, lenders, outside counsel, municipal officials, civic leaders, and external business partners.
• Partner with internal teams and government stakeholders on development approvals, permitting, public-private initiatives, and related matters.
• Evaluate legal, regulatory, financial, and reputational risks while developing commercially sound solutions that support business objectives.
• Lead outside counsel and cross-functional transaction teams, ensuring effective coordination, timely execution, and successful deal closings.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with a state bar, with eligibility to practice in Michigan.
• 10+ years of progressive legal experience with significant responsibility for complex corporate, commercial, and real estate transactions.
• Proven experience independently structuring, negotiating, and closing sophisticated commercial real estate and corporate transactions.
• Experience as a law firm partner, senior transactional attorney, or in-house legal executive strongly preferred.
• Strong business acumen, negotiation skills, and ability to provide strategic legal guidance to executive leadership.
• Exceptional legal drafting, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with senior executives, external business partners, government agencies, and civic stakeholders.
• Executive presence, sound judgment, discretion, and ability to navigate complex and sensitive business matters.
• Experience within sports, entertainment, corporate partnerships, or other consumer-facing industries is a plus.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We are dedicated to ensuring equal access throughout the employment process. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable participation in the application and interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you require an accommodation, please contact us to request assistance.