Branch Manager & Legal Counsel

Strategic Business Leader And In-House Legal Counsel

Serves as both a strategic business leader and in-house legal counsel within the brokerage. Works closely with senior leadership to guide the brokerage's growth, structure, and overall direction while ensuring sound legal and operational practices. Actively participates in key business decisions, strategic planning, and policy development, helping to shape the brokerage's vision, growth initiatives, and long-term success. Manages one or more real estate office(s). Oversees office support team and sales associate performance, compliance, and training to promote professionalism and excellence across all transactions.

Job Duties And Responsibilities (Essential Job Functions):

1. Oversee the legal affairs of the organization, which includes any of the following job duties and responsibilities: (60%)

• Advise management on legal issues or questions of the company.
• Monitor and participate in government hearings and any other hearing or arbitration matter involving the company.
• Direct or provide legal representation to real estate licensees and the company in state and federal real estate agency investigations, Board of REALTORS commission arbitration matters or ethics hearings, conciliation court hearings and in home buyer/home seller arbitration hearings.
• Advise on legal perspectives and/or the implications of contracts, government relationships, organizational structure, and insurance issues that may arise from conducting business.
• Assist with legal aspects of all the organization's transactions and prepare reports and statements of a legal nature with oversight of Regional Legal Counsel.
• Represent the company in regulatory investigations by state and federal employment agencies.
• Assist in developing plans, policies and objectives for the short- and long-range goals of the organization.
• Assist in planning and directing investigations and negotiations pertaining to mergers, joint ventures, acquisitions of businesses, or the sale of major assets.
• Act to protect and enhance the organization's investments in subsidiaries and affiliates. Ensure that all activities are performed in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and laws that govern business operations.
• Assist with registration, renewal, and protection of trademarks, copyrights, sales agreements, technology agreements, trade regulations and anti-trust laws, credit, tax, and property matters and personnel and public relations.
• Participate in the company's policy deliberations to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide education and training to real estate licensees and company employees.
• Perform administrative activities necessary for the effective management of the department, including employee safety, selection and development, salary administration, budget administration, employee counseling and motivation, organization goals and objectives, and planning, organizing, integrating, measuring, and reporting the work performed within the department.

1. Branch Office General Management (30%)

• Implement and manage programs and practices to meet or exceed operating objectives including profitability, office budget, revenue and transaction volumes, core services utilization, space utilization, and other key operating metrics as defined by executive management.
• Execute programs and practices to achieve affiliate businesses' goals and initiatives (title, mortgage, insurance, relocation). Promote affiliated services and products to sales associates to meet and exceed office objectives. Develop and maintain strong partnerships with affiliated services staff.
• Communicate, implement and support company programs, initiatives, changes, and information to agents & staff. (Examples - marketing programs, technology initiatives, human resource programs, etc.). Display positive commitment and loyalty to the company and brand.
• Manage staff including recruiting, selecting, training, developing, evaluating, coaching, motivating, scheduling, supervising, and administering salary.
• Provide timely and accurate reporting and information as requested by corporate departments and/or as needed for effective management.
• Attend company meetings and events.

1. Other Management Responsibilities (10%)

• Develop and maintain a positive and motivated office environment through good communications, strong sales associate and staff relationships, and office events and programs. Minimize and effectively resolve sales associate and staff conflicts or complaints. Maintain high visibility and availability for sales associates and staff.
• Actively participate in community activities, local and state board of realtors.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of all applicable company policies and procedures, real estate regulations and guidelines, and industry market information and trends.
• Ensure staff compliance with all applicable company and regulatory policies and procedures.

1. Perform any other responsibilities as requested or as needed to fulfill the purpose of the job. (0-5%)

Performance Expectations

• Meet all performance and behavior expectations outlined in the company performance appraisal form or communicated by management.
• Perform responsibilities as directed achieving desired results within expected time frames and with a high degree of quality and professionalism.
• Establish and maintain positive and productive work relationships with all staff, customers and business partners.
• Demonstrate the behavioral and technical competencies necessary to effectively complete job responsibilities. Take personal initiative for technical and professional development.
• Follow the company HR Policy, the Code of Business Conduct and all subsidiary and department policies and procedures, including protecting confidential company information, attending work punctually and regularly, and following good safety practices in all activities.

Qualifications

Education:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Admitted to practice law before a State Supreme Court and a United States District Court.

Experience:

• 3 5 years of experience in most major legal disciplines required.
• 2+ years of real estate experience with a documented history of sales success and strong transactional expertise strongly preferred.
• Previous real estate sales management experience with successful results in both profit management and sales associate recruitment and retention preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• High degree of proficiency in state and federal real estate and agency law and contract, commercial landlord/tenant, corporate and employment law, secured transactions, and a working knowledge of the title industry, mortgage industry, insurance law and copyright and trademark law.
• Solid knowledge of all aspects of state and federal real estate regulations.
• High level of technical and transactional real estate expertise.
• Demonstrated proficiency in management and supervision of regulatory or complex litigation, and strong negotiating skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills. Ability to professionally lead meetings and conduct business in a variety of situations.
• Effective interpersonal skills and leadership abilities.
• Effective analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple issues and projects concurrently.
• Ability to manage stressful situations and deal with highly emotional complainants.

Other (licenses, certifications, schedule flexibility/OT, travel, etc.):

• Must be a licensed Realtor and Broker (requirement may vary by state of office), a licensed Realtor and Broker with advanced degrees and certifications preferred.
• Must have an active license to practice law in the state of Nebraska.

We offer a full suite of benefits including Medical, Health Savings Account, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Paid Vacation (PTO), 401(k) with employer match, Flexible Spending Account, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.