Sr. Commercial Counsel

About Rack Room Shoes:

Rack Room Shoes is recognized as a footwear industry innovator and has proudly served our communities, pairing people with their favorite shoes for over 100 years. We offer a great variety of on-trend styles for women, men and children in athletic, comfort and dress categories.  We pride ourselves on a delightful and trusted shopping experience for our valued customers while offering an outstanding value on a wide selection of nationally recognized brands and exclusive private labels.  We operate approximately 515 stores in 37 states.

Why Join Us?

At Rack Room Shoes, the Legal Department is a critical driver of business success, serving as a trusted advisor and strategic partner across the organization. Our team works closely with business leaders to help navigate legal, regulatory, compliance, employment, commercial, real estate, privacy, and operational matters while supporting the Company’s growth objectives and managing risk. We value collaboration, practical problem-solving, continuous improvement, and a business-focused approach to legal counsel. If you are passionate about delivering strategic advice, building strong business relationships, and contributing to a dynamic retail organization, we invite you to join our Legal team and play a meaningful role in shaping the future of the business.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled and proactive Senior Commercial Counsel to join our in-house legal team. This role serves as a strategic legal advisor to business leaders across Marketing, Technology, Digital, Supply Chain, and Corporate Functions, providing practical, business-focused legal counsel while managing legal risk in a fast-paced retail environment. The ideal candidate will bring extensive legal expertise, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and a collaborative, proactive and engaging approach to address complex legal and business challenges. As a key team member, you will provide practical, business-oriented legal solutions while balancing business objectives with risk mitigation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Commercial Contracts:

• • Lead contract negotiations and provide strategic legal advice to cross-functional teams, including Marketing, IT, Finance, and Digital/Omnichannel operations.
  • Affiliate Marketing Agreements, CRM/SMS/Email, Social Media Marketing, MarTech.
  • Draft, negotiate, and manage a broad range of commercial agreements, including SaaS/software licenses, technology services agreements, vendor contracts, Master Service Agreements, and marketing and promotional agreements.
  • Develop and maintain contract templates, playbooks, and standardized processes.
  • Drive efficient workflows and track resolution of key contract issues.
  • Lead informal dispute resolution and settlement negotiations.

Data Privacy, Technology & AI Governance:

• • Serve as the company’s lead privacy attorney and primary legal resource for company-wide data privacy, advising on complex technology outsourcing, software, data security, and data analytics transactions.
  • Develop, maintain, and drive company-wide compliance with privacy policies, digital Terms of Use, procedures, and best practices, ensuring continued alignment with global and domestic privacy regulations.
  • Provide guidance on data protection requirements and emerging technology issues, including artificial intelligence, automated decision-making, and responsible AI governance.
  • Advise on company policies, social media issues, privacy and consumer protection, technology, customer data governance, and information security.
  • Drive the company’s long-term strategies by educating business units on topical issues, including vendor data sharing, consumer data, advertising, SMS and social media, and pricing.
  • Partner with IT and Omnichannel teams on technology development and implementation, addressing legal considerations throughout.
  • Advise on information security and data privacy legal requirements in third-party contracts, including negotiating federal- and state-required contractual terms and best practices, such as privacy notices, consent mechanisms, and related disclosures.

Marketing:

• • Provide advice and counsel to the Marketing and Omnichannel teams on promotions, events, sweepstakes, and related contracts.
  • Proactively partner with the Marketing and Omnichannel teams on digital/website compliance with marketing, advertising, promotional events, and privacy laws, including sweepstakes and contests, digital, text and email marketing, social media, influencer and endorsement campaigns, and membership/loyalty programs.
  • Draft and negotiate various agreements in the areas of marketing, talent, influencer, endorsement, and sponsorship.

Litigation Management & General Counsel Support:

• • Manage relationships with outside counsel and oversee litigation strategy as needed.
  • Provide legal guidance on compliance and regulatory matters.
  • Conduct internal training programs to educate teams on legal requirements.
  • Support General Counsel on day-to-day legal operations, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.

 
Qualifications:

• JD from an accredited institution and active bar membership.
• 7+ years of relevant legal experience, ideally a combination of in-house and law firm roles.
• Proven expertise in commercial contract negotiation and drafting.
• Significant experience in privacy laws, regulations, and best practices, including CCPA, state privacy breach notification laws, digital marketing compliance, and consumer protection; experience negotiating data processing agreements (DPAs), SaaS agreements, and cloud services/technology procurement contracts.
• Superior organizational, negotiation, and project management skills.
• Strong business judgment with a practical, solutions-focused mindset.
• Ability to work independently while fostering collaboration.
• Ability to provide practical, effective counsel, find alternative solutions to problems, and hold the line when warranted in a respectful and authoritative manner and suggest workable alternatives to meet the desired goals.
• Detail-oriented, resourceful, adaptable, flexible, organized, discreet and cost-conscious problem solver who can remain calm and work under pressure.
• Ability to identify, explain and balance business and legal risks.
• Sound judgement and strategic thinking in all legal matters.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Build trusted relationships with senior business leaders as a strategic partner across the organization.
• Influence business strategy through practical, business-focused legal advice.
• Develop scalable legal processes and playbooks that support company-wide efficiency.

Minimum Requirements:

• JD from an accredited institution and active bar membership.
• 7+ years of relevant legal experience, ideally a combination of in-house and law firm roles.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your qualifications and relevant experience.

Work Environment:

This position is located in Charlotte, NC and the candidate must be willing to relocate, if not already in the Charlotte Metro area.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.