Vice President - Legal Operations and Corporate Counsel

UDR, Inc. is now hiring a Vice President - Legal Operations and Corporate Counsel to join our team at our corporate office in Highlands Ranch.

SUMMARY: This position will be primarily responsible for the delivery and management of legal services and expert legal advice on a variety of real estate-oriented transactional and corporate matters with a focus on acquisitions, dispositions, development, and financing while balancing legal risks and business objectives. In addition, this position will also provide advice and legal support on other types of strategic transactions, investment deals, corporate structures, business operations, commercial contracts, and general corporate matters across the organization.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Will report directly to the SVP-Chief Legal Officer.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Will exercise supervision over Legal Department paralegal and other support staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Draft and negotiate a wide variety of real estate-oriented transactional documents including letters of intent and ancillary documents; acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures; loan and security documents; operating agreements; guaranties; equity financing agreements; corporate resolutions; and consents among other documents.
• Support transactions through all stages of a transaction lifecycle, including assessment of potential targets, deal structuring, negotiation, due diligence, and deal execution.
• Advise business partners on legal and regulatory issues related to securities law, antitrust, data privacy, and other compliance matters that may impact transactions or other areas of the business.
• Draft and negotiate commercial retail leasing agreements and related documents.
• Draft and negotiate construction agreements and necessary ancillary documents.
• Provide advice to the organization on laws, rules and regulations that may affect the company
• Contribute to the development and improvement of internal legal processes and best practices for transactions, contracting, and other corporate matters.
• Draft and negotiate contractual agreements between the Company and third parties including but not limited to commercial SaaS agreements, vendor agreements, licenses, and other agreements.
• Provide guidance to business partners across departments on ways to achieve business success while minimizing risk.
• Assist in the maintenance of corporate and legal entity structure, compliance, and governance.
• Effectively manage outside counsel on all aspects of transactions with an eye toward driving business goals and providing counseling, while effectively managing time and costs.
• Be prepared to tackle additional challenges as needed.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

The above statement describes the general nature and level of work being performed. This position may perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Completion of a JD from an accredited law school and licensed as an attorney qualified to practice law in the state of Colorado or the ability to waive into practice or become licensed.
• Minimum of five years' experience in a corporate legal department or law firm, or a combination of both primarily focused on real estate transactions and other M&A.
• Experience with public companies, real estate transactions and financings, development and construction agreements, and/or REITs preferred.
• Intermediate proficiency level in MS Office applications that may include but are not limited to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable with fast-paced environment, able to work under multiple deadlines to prioritize appropriately.
• Independent, self-directed, organized, detail-oriented, and diligent in all facets of the job.
• Strong team player with a collaborative mindset and ability to work across legal, business, and other cross-functional teams to achieve tasks and goals.
• Must be able to anticipate risk and issues and exercise judgment to make sound, justifiable legal decisions in problem-solving.
• Must be able to build effective teams, communicate objectives and expectations, and motivate consistent high performance in others.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Normal office hours onsite in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
• Availability may be necessary beyond normal work hours and a successful candidate will be required to carry a cell phone and be available to respond on these occasions.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Occasionally lifting items weighing up to 30 lbs. Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator, and other office equipment. Regular and consistent attendance on the job is an essential function.

Benefits Offered:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Plans
• Medical Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Spending Account
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• Supplemental Term Life Insurance
• Critical Illness Plan
• Supplemental Short-Term Disability Insurance / AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance
• 401(k) Plan with company match

Salary Range:
* $160,000.00/yr. - $200,000.00/yr., depends on experience

Bonus Potential:
* Eligible for 50-80% annual bonus potential

Anticipated Close Date: July 1, 2025

UDR is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

UDR is committed to providing and maintaining a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment with equitable access and opportunity for associates to participate, grow, and reach their full potential.