VP Legal -Real Estate Transactions

Job Summary The Vice President of Legal for Transactions reports to the SVP Legal and Associate General Counsel to facilitate and manage all aspects of real estate transactions. Negotiates, drafts, and advises on purchase and sale agreements, loan documents, joint venture agreements, commercial leases, easements, zoning and entitlement issues, and related activities. Supports and manages the closing process for real estate acquisitions and dispositions, loan transactions, and joint venture transactions. Interacts with property operations and corporate staff, buyers and sellers, government authorities, adjacent property owners and outside counsel on real estate legal issues as a primary point of contact for real estate and transactional legal issues and support. The successful candidate will embody and work to reinforce MAA’s Core Values. Those values include: Appreciating the uniqueness of each individual Communicating openly and with integrity Embracing opportunities Doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons Duties and Responsibilities Drafts, edits, negotiates, manages, and advises on a wide variety of real estate transactions and contracts. Advises the Transactions and Development teams on legal matters related to acquisitions and dispositions of real estate assets (operating or land bank assets). Advises the Transactions, Development and Construction teams throughout the life cycle of the development of new apartment communities. Provides guidance to property and corporate management on contracts, liability, and other related matters. Coordinates, assembles, and reviews due diligence related to the marketing and sale of properties or financing transactions. Works with brokers, outside counsel, title insurers, surveyors, third party contractors, and internal stakeholders to understand due diligence, pursue curative work, and respond to information requests. Assists with day-to-day legal issues related to declarations, reciprocal easement agreements, joint venture agreements, loan documents, commercial leases, utility easements, and other agreements. Assists with the management and oversight of property owners’ associations. Assists with the completion of post-closing obligations after the sale or acquisition of properties. Works cross-functionally with teams to mitigate legal risk and to ensure compliance related to real estate transactions and developments. Monitors and maintains awareness of laws and regulations governing real estate transactions and developments. Travels as needed for meetings, training, and/or company events. Supervises the work of other legal staff on an ad-hoc or ongoing basis. Coordinates and manages the work of outside counsel in connection with real estate transactions. Performs other related duties as assigned to meet the needs of the business. Required Qualifications Juris Doctorate degree and admission to the Tennessee Bar Association are required 10 to 15 years of commercial real estate and transactional or contractual experience required Supervisory management experience required Preferred Qualifications Experience from a law firm or in-house legal team specializing in commercial real estate transactions and contracts preferred Multifamily industry experience preferred MBA or other advanced degree preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Legal knowledge and expertise related to real estate transactions and developments, especially contractual terminology, concepts, and requirements Familiarity with legal issues and regulations relating to multifamily housing Critical thinking and problem-solving skills applied to complex legal challenges Executive presence and relationship management skills, including influencing and negotiation, with which to interact with all levels of the organization Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills, including presentations and advocacy Accuracy and attention to detail with qualitative and quantitative data Computer skills with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) Ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks and projects, and meet deadlines within a fast-paced environment Ability to travel overnight for meetings and events Skill and ability to collaborate within a team as well as operate independently Ability to maintain confidentiality and maintain appropriate discretion Physical and Environmental Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Disclaimer Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. MAA is a real estate investment trust (REIT) company focused on providing a high-quality apartment living experience to residents across the Southeast, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. As an active buyer and developer of apartment communities, MAA is currently the largest owner-operator of apartment homes in the country and is an S&P 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Currently, MAA owns and operates over 100,000 apartment homes across 17 states and the District of Columbia. We have successfully navigated numerous business cycles, captured significant growth and built an efficient, technology-driven operating platform with an investment portfolio that is uniquely balanced and diversified across markets noted for strong population growth and robust housing-demand dynamics. Our mission at MAA is to deliver superior service and value for our residents, employees and shareholders. We refer to this as creating "A Brighter View" and we are doing it every day. As an employer, we strive to recruit, develop and retain a talented and diverse workforce that mirrors the diversity of our residents and the communities where we do business. Our corporate charity, The Open Arms Foundation, is the heart of our company. Its mission is to provide a home away from home for those who must travel to receive medical treatment. Would you like to learn more about what a day at an MAA Community looks like? Click below to view a quick video from our associates. Property Manager for an MAA Community leads all aspects of community life and above all – quality customer service. The Maintenance Supervisor leads and coordinates the maintenance team through repairs and maintenance of property facilities and apartments. Assistant Property Managers support the operations and financial performance of the community, handle the collections process, and assist with leasing. In other words, they wear several hats! An Apartment Maintenance Technician performs maintenance and repairs to ensure apartments and facilities are in top shape. A special role for an MAA community, a Leasing Consultant supports leasing operations, interactions and communication with residents, and assists with community events and marketing activities.