Director, Senior Attorney - Commercial

Intro

Are you ready to explore a world of possibilities, both at work and during your time off? Join our American Airlines family, and you’ll travel the world, grow your expertise and become the best version of you. As you embark on a new journey, you’ll tackle challenges with flexibility and grace, learning new skills and advancing your career while having the time of your life. Feel free to enrich both your personal and work life and hop on board!

Why you'll love this job

As a member of the American Airlines in-house legal team, the Director, Senior Attorney – Commercial will provide counsel, advice, and legal support to the TechOps department of American Airlines with respect to commercial contracting, supplier relationships, major procurement matters, to Corporate Development on potential sustainability-related investments and strategic transactions, and to the Fleet team on surplus aircraft and engine sales matters with our commercial partners.

What you'll do

As noted above, this list is intended to reflect the current job but there may be additional essential functions (and certainly non-essential job functions) that are not referenced.  Management will modify the job or require other tasks be performed whenever it is deemed appropriate to do so, observing, of course, any legal obligations including any collective bargaining obligations.

• Provide practical, compliant, and strategic legal support and counsel to TechOps, Fleet, Corporate Development and Management on a full range of issues, including, but not limited to:
  
  • Engines, APUs and landing gear campaigns
  • Cabin interiors, seating, and related supplier contracts
  • IFE / Wi‑Fi: Inflight entertainment and connectivity equipment, content, subscription models, consumer disclosures, and data issues
  • Heavy maintenance agreements
  • Facilities and line maintenance agreements
  • Avionics and technical publications
  • Simulator agreements (acquisitions, sales, leases, updates and software licensing for training)
  • Ground support equipment agreements
  • Surplus aircraft sales and surplus engine sales/exchanges/swaps
• Draft, negotiate, and advise on a high volume of complex commercial agreements
• Function as a commercial specialist, staying current with developments, trends, and practices
• Strategically and in a cost-effective manner, partner with outside counsel to identify relevant issues and help the business effectively navigate legal risks

All you'll need for success

Minimum Qualifications – Education & Prior Job Experience 

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school, excellent academic record, and active member in good standing in at least one State bar
• 7 years of experience at one or more top law firms, corporations, or government agencies advising clients on commercial law matters 
• Significant experience negotiating complex commercial contracts with sophisticated counterparties
• Experience with energy procurement, sustainability matters, or technology heavy contracting, aviation‑related commercial agreements,
• MROs, OEMs, aviation suppliers, or operationally complex industries preferred 

Preferred Qualifications – Education & Prior Job Experience 

• Prior in-house experience supporting operational business units preferred
• Experience working collaboratively with senior leaders across TechOps, Finance, Procurement, and Corporate Development

Skills, Licenses, and Certifications

• Demonstrates the highest standards of ethics and integrity
• Excellent business acumen with the judgment and ability to advise on diverse and highly technical commercial portfolios
• Ability to render persuasive, diplomatic, practical, and legally compliant advice in a timely fashion
• Superior problem solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills, with ability to be highly meticulous and detail-oriented
• Ability to influence through outstanding interpersonal skills, collaboration, and negotiation skills
• Ability to thrive under pressure in a fast-paced, changing, and complex environment
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible in rapidly changing conditions and priorities
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion and the ability to build and facilitate long-term relationships at all levels, both internally and externally
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with ability to handle complex topics comfortably and to interact effectively with all levels and colleagues across internal departments, both verbally and written
• Ability to relocate, if not currently residing