Senior Licensing Specialist (Retail, Alcohol & Business Licensing)

About the role

Join Sutherland as a Senior Retail Licensing & Regulatory Specialist and become the subject matter expert supporting the licensing authority for a large-scale retail operation. Your expertise will help shape licensing strategy, reduce regulatory risk, and keep thousands of retail locations compliant across multiple jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience managing multi-jurisdiction business licenses, permits, and renewals for a large national retailer, restaurant, or quick-service organization.
• Deep expertise with high-risk licensing, including Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), Health Department permits, Hazardous Materials, and other complex regulatory requirements.
• A proven ability to interpret statutes, municipal codes, and regulatory requirements and translate them into clear, practical business processes.
• Strong knowledge of the full licensing lifecycle—from new applications and renewals through approvals, closeout, and record retention.
• Experience managing licensing across multiple states and local jurisdictions, balancing competing deadlines while maintaining compliance.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to identify compliance risks before they become business issues.
• Willingness to travel to client sites as needed.
• Ability to work onsite in Chesapeake, VA. Candidates located outside the area are welcome to apply—relocation assistance is available.