Senior Real Estate Counsel

Your work days are brighter here.

At Workday, it all began with a conversation over breakfast. When our founders met at a sunny California diner, they came up with an idea to revolutionize the enterprise software market. And when we began to rise, one thing that really set us apart was our culture. A culture which was driven by our value of putting our people first. And ever since, the happiness, development, and contribution of every Workmate is central to who we are. Our Workmates believe a healthy employee-centric, collaborative culture is the essential mix of ingredients for success in business. That’s why we look after our people, communities and the planet while still being profitable. Feel encouraged to shine, however that manifests: you don’t need to hide who you are. You can feel the energy and the passion, it's what makes us unique. Inspired to make a brighter work day for all and transform with us to the next stage of our growth journey? Bring your brightest version of you and have a brighter work day here.

About the Team

At Workday, the Legal & Regulatory Affairs team provides counsel to global clients on corporate, employment, vendor/supplier, marketing, ethics, and litigation matters. We collaborate closely with the broader Workday legal team and other cross-functional teams to support strategic growth initiatives, improve employee, partner and customer experience, and scale on our path to $10 billion in revenue. More specifically, the ​​Inbound Legal Team partners with the Global Procurement Office and business clients to enable Workday to make timely, informed, and strategic decisions for the acquisition of resources.

We’re committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business of enterprise applications. We work hard, and we're serious about what we do. But we like to have a good time, too! Our employees are the core of our business and we are committed to cultivating a culture that VIBEs (values inclusion, belonging, and equity). Every employee plays a critical role in ensuring that Workday continues to be a welcoming environment where diverse people, experiences, and perspectives thrive!

About the Role

The Senior Real Estate Counsel will be Workday’s first dedicated real estate attorney and will be responsible for building out the Real Estate Legal program.  They will partner closely with our Real Estate & Workplace organization on the design, construction, financing, development, and leasing of workspaces, and on other transaction related negotiations and agreements.  The attorney will partner with Workday teams, including Real Estate & Workplace, Global Procurement, Finance, Environmental Health & Safety, and others to negotiate beneficial real estate deals across our global footprint.

The ideal candidate will possess exceptional judgment and business savvy. They will be comfortable, effective, and persuasive in dealing with landlords, brokers, contractors, senior management, and business stakeholders, and will be an advocate for business growth, innovation, and efficiency to drive business success.

Responsibilities will include:

• Represent and advise Workday clients on all types of commercial real estate transactions, including Workday’s Grangegorman development in Dublin, Ireland, office leases throughout North and South America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Africa, and other construction projects in owned and leased spaces.

• Negotiate and draft real estate documents (HOTs. lease amendments, terminations, licenses, NDAs, MSAs, brokerage agreements, SNDAs, etc.) and advise on lease updates and deals.

• Conduct all necessary due diligence, including review of environmental site assessments, titles, CC&Rs, easements, etc.

• Develop internal resources, playbooks, trainings, and templates for enabling business leaders to make efficient decisions and move with speed.

About You

Basic Qualifications

• J.D. Degree (or foreign equivalent) and membership in at least 1 state bar

• 7+ years of experience as a practicing attorney in a law firm or in-house/public sector legal department

Additional Qualifications

• Excellent contract negotiation and drafting skills, comfortable and adept at teaming with leadership in fast paced customer facing transactions, preferably with enterprise software/SaaS experience.

• Ability to influence, advise, and advocate for the business’ interests.

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, enabling effective communication with legal and non-legal audiences. 

• Exercises superior judgment and in tune with complex needs of the business to advise clients in an effective and creative manner.

• Cultivates internal and external relatio