VP, Associate General Counsel - Real Estate

Job Summary

Verano Holdings Corp. is a U.S. multi state operator of vertically integrated licensed cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and retail facilities. The Vice President, Real Estate, based out of Verano’s Chicago corporate office, will lead the administration, growth, and day-to-day management of Verano's real estate portfolio and transactions across all markets. This role is hands-on and will own all aspects of leasing, property acquisitions and dispositions, mortgages and financings, zoning, entitlements and permitting, real estate due diligence, development contracts, and environmental, title, and survey review. The Vice President, Real Estate will partner closely with Verano’s Legal, Regulatory and Compliance, Finance, and Operations, and supervise the real estate asset manager, lease administrator and real estate paralegal to ensure the portfolio is well managed, compliant, and positioned to support Verano's growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead drafting, negotiation and execution of leases, amendments, renewals, and terminations across Verano's national real estate portfolio, partnering with brokers, landlords and internal teams.
• Own property acquisitions and dispositions for cultivation, processing, retail, and office locations from beginning stages through completion, including  drafting and negotiating letters of intent and purchase and sale agreements and assisting in site selection.
• Structure, negotiate, and manage mortgages, financings, sale leaseback transactions, and other capital arrangements tied to owned real estate, in partnership with internal teams and outside advisors.
• Own zoning, entitlement, and permitting matters for new and existing locations, working with outside counsel, local planning and zoning authorities, and internal teams.
• Manage and conduct due diligence for all real estate transactions, coordinating title, survey, environmental, zoning, and property condition reviews with internal teams, brokers, and outside advisors.
• Review and evaluate environmental site assessments, and coordinate remediation and risk mitigation with environmental consultants, outside counsel and internal teams.
• Review title commitments, exceptions, and surveys, resolve title issues, and coordinate title insurance and closing requirements with title companies, lenders, and outside counsel.
• Partner with Verano’s Regulatory and Compliance and Operations teams on site selection and cannabis licensing requirements tied to real estate, including local approvals, host community agreements, and state application requirements.
• Supervise the real estate asset manager, lease administrator and real estate paralegal, overseeing lease abstracting, critical date tracking, document management, and day-to-day portfolio administration.
• Maintain the overall real estate portfolio, including lease compliance, rent rolls, insurance certificates, property tax matters, reporting to senior leadership.
• Oversee and manage outside real estate counsel as needed on select transactions.
• Manage ongoing relationships with outside brokers, landlords, lenders, appraisers, surveyors, and other outside real estate professionals across all markets.
• Develop and present real estate budget and portfolio performance updates to senior leadership.
• Support landlord and tenant disputes, notices, defaults, and enforcement matters in coordination with the Legal team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate and licensed to practice law in good standing in Illinois.
• At least eight or more years of progressively responsible commercial real estate experience, including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and financing, ideally across a multi-state or multi-site portfolio.  Law firm experience a plus.
• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating leases and purchase and sale agreements and negotiating financing and mortgage documents.
• Experience reviewing title reports, surveys, and environmental site assessments.
• Working knowledge of zoning, land use, and permitting processes across multiple jurisdictions.
• Prior experience supervising outside real estate legal counsel.  Supervision of internal teams, including asset management, lease administration or paralegal functions, a plus.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting and portfolio reporting.
• Excellent negotiation, project management, and cross functional collaboration skills.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage a high-volume, fast-moving portfolio and multiple concurrent transactions.
• Proven written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to senior leadership.
• High level of discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support the portfolio.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Willing to undergo a background check.
• Professional references and proof of bar license required for final candidates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Cannabis industry experience preferred, though not required

What We Offer

Verano Base Pay Range 

$235,000 - $275,000 + Bonus and LTI

Actual pay is based on experience, qualifications, and location of the role. Roles may be eligible for annual bonus program based on individual and company performance. 

Benefits: 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 
• 401(k) matching 
• Paid holidays 
• Paid time off 
• Product discounts 

Physical and Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position, move and/or position oneself, communicate, operate and/or prepare, place, position objects, tools, or controls. The employee must occasionally move packages weighing up to 10 lb. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close observation and the ability to adjust focus. The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Working Environment

Work is performed in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.