When our square shaped burgers made their first sizzle on the scene more than 50 years ago, people knew our approach wasn’t like any other. Same goes for the way we support our employees. Our culture of openness, flexibility, and inclusiveness allows everybody to flourish in their own way. If you’re looking for a career where you can be part of the action as we continue to grow our iconic brand – We got you! The Director – Commercial Litigation & Claims leads the company’s commercial and complex litigation matters across its U.S. and International businesses. This role will manage a wide range of legal matters, including commercial disputes, class actions, franchisee disputes, contract matters, and business tort claims. This role has overall responsibility for managing commercial litigation risk for the company, including dispute resolution/litigation avoidance, development of legal strategy, management and supervision of outside counsel, internal legal team’s execution of legal strategy, and managing the commercial litigation budget and costs. This role also has responsibility for Claims and Workers’ Compensation, including general liability, products liability, auto, products / premises liability, and workers’ compensation. This role also has oversight for record management and e-discovery matters.

Responsibilities

• Commercial Litigation: Responsible for managing the company’s commercial litigation portfolio, including pre-litigation assessments, strategy, working cross-functionally on case preparation, selecting and overseeing outside counsel, and driving resolutions. Also provides strategic advice and counsel to help the company navigate legal risks and seize legal opportunities. Manages the Commercial Litigation budget. Oversees third party subpoenas and governmental requests for information, and records management and e-discovery initiatives.
• Claims Management: Manages the Claims and Workers Compensation teams, who have responsibility for investigation, analysis and quantification of legal liabilities associated with employee and customer accidents, including analysis and management of the Company’s retained liability reserves. Ensures appropriate resolution of all auto, property, products liability, directors and officers liability, cyber liability, fiduciary liability and other related claims, and ensures compliance with all statutory requirements in the administration of worker’s compensation benefits.
• Records Management and Legal Technology Operations: Manages the team responsible for Records Management at the Company. Also has oversight of Legal Department technology needs assessments and new legal technology implementations.
• Legal Risk Mitigation: Work cross-functionally across the Legal & iGRC Department to identify areas to proactively mitigate legal risks, including in marketing / advertising, business practices, or training opportunities.
• Member of the Legal & iGRC Leadership Team, helping to set Department strategy and drive culture and engagement.
• Other job-related duties as may be assigned or required.

• J.D. with 10 or more years of experience advising clients, with significant experience in litigation.
• Ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously and to produce a large volume of high-quality work.
• Ability to manage outside counsel, solve complex problems under deadlines and maintain excellent interpersonal communications with client groups.
• Ability to manage a team efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to work constructively with peers, client groups and franchisees.

Expected Work Location (In Office): It is expected that you will primarily perform work at the Wendy's Restaurant Support Center (RSC) (1 Dave Thomas Blvd, Dublin, OH 43017), or at other location(s) as designated by the Company. You are required to work in the office at least 4 days a week. Changes to work location arrangements are subject to managerial approval and business needs. #LI-Onsite 

  

Wendy’s was built on the premise, "Quality is our Recipe®," which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand. 

  

The base pay range for this position is listed below. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and budget for the open position and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other relevant factors. This range does not include an estimated value for any benefits, bonus, or other incentives that may be applicable based on position. The target annual bonus for this role is 25% of annualized base salary, based on actual company and personal performance. 

  

Our square burgers make us different and so do our benefits! Our restaurant support roles are eligible for a wide array of benefits, including things such as parental leave, free EAP sessions, company 401k match and other great offerings. For more details about our benefits, including an overview of eligibility and terms for certain benefits, please visit our benefits website, www.wendysbenefits.com. 

  

NOTE: Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives are governed by the applicable legal plans and policies and, where appropriate, may be subject to Board approval an individual award agreement terms. Those documents supersede all other information regarding Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives. Wendy’s retains the right to amend or terminate its plans and policies at its sole discretion, in accordance with applicable plans, policies and laws. 

Pay Range: $142,000 - $256,000 Annually