Legal Counsel - Compliance & Litigation

About the Role

As a member of a dynamic legal team, the attorney in this unique position will serve as a critical business partner and legal adviser, reporting to the Global Legal Directors. This Legal Counsel role will support the global compliance practice, with primary responsibility for assisting in the operation of Pizza Hut’s ethics, compliance, due diligence, training, and internal investigations areas.

Responsibilities

• Compliance:
  • Monitor developments in relevant legal areas and policy, and proactively coordinate with and provide day-to-day compliance-focused legal advice to Global HR, Total Rewards, Digital and Technology, Development, Operations, Finance, and Legal partners.
  • Own, manage, and maintain a defined portfolio of Global corporate compliance and legal/workplace policies, ensuring they are current, clearly written, scalable, and compliant.
  • Develop and deliver training to HR Business Professionals, business leaders, and coaches on key legal topics and emerging risks.
  • Create and manage the rollout of annual global compliance training.
  • Conduct internal audits in partnership with internal teams into high-risk regulatory areas.
  • Conduct risk assessments in connection with issues impacting the Company’s customer, vendor, operations, franchisees, industry, and/or business, and advise management on the most appropriate response or action.
  • Establish and manage the Company’s internal investigations program, ensuring timely, thorough, and fair investigations into allegations of misconduct, fraud, conflicts of interest, and other violations of Pizza Hut’s Code of Conduct and related policies.
  • Oversee the tracking, analysis, and reporting of investigation trends to identify systemic issues and recommend corrective actions.
  • Manage vendor, supplier, and franchisee due diligence process on a global scale.
  • Lead records management and oversight, with support from Litigation Paralegal.
  • Maintain an effective compliance communication program for the Company, including promoting the use of the whistleblower hotline, heightened awareness of the Code of Conduct, and understanding new and existing compliance issues and related policies and procedures.
• Litigation:
  • Assist with litigation matters, including management of and coordination with outside and insurance counsel for the strategic defense of litigation matters nationwide, focusing on commercial, consumer protection, patent infringement, and data privacy, but also including real estate and anti-trust.
  • Review and revise draft pleadings, discovery responses, and motions prepared by outside counsel.
  • Coordinate with Litigation Paralegal to collect and supply responsive, non-objectionable information and documentation to outside counsel in support of discovery responses and manage e-discovery.
  • Assist Director in forecasting and managing Pizza Hut’s legal budget periodically and annually.
  • Coordinate with the Risk/Insurance Team and cross-functional partners as necessary.
  • Partner with Litigation Paralegal on responses and objections to subpoenas and other legal documents.
  • Assist in developing compliance frameworks stemming from litigation, if and as needed.

Requirements

• Location: This position requires working in person from the Plano, Texas office three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday), with remote work permitted on Monday and Friday.
• Education: Juris Doctor (JD) Degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Experience and Qualifications:
  • Active license to practice law in Texas (or ability to obtain in-house counsel registration where required).
  • 4–8 years of experience in a law firm or in-house legal department, with a preferred focus on general litigation, internal investigations, corporate compliance, and/or corporate governance.
  • Strong understanding of federal civil procedure.
  • Ability to assess and weigh risks against operational needs to develop reasoned recommendations, including risk mitigation strategies.
  • Ability to work quickly and competently to prioritize, manage, and multi-task in a fast-paced and dynamic working environment.
  • Ability to deliver sound, clear, and practical legal advice, both verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to develop strong working relationships with colleagues and internal clients.
  • Ability to self-start and work proactively to advance business objectives to completion.
  • Solution-oriented and collaborative mindset, including the ability to work successfully in a team environment.
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to listen and effectively explain complex legal issues to non-lawyers in one-on-one and large presentation formats.
  • High personal and professional integrity, including the ability to establish personal credibility within the department and Company.
  • At least 18 years of age and authorization to work in the United States.

The posted salary range is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.