Lease Administrator / Paralegal

JOB SUMMARY:

To support the Lease Administration Supervisor by preparing or redlining cell tower and office/building leases. Assists in contract negotiations and contract disputes. Administers existing cell tower and office/building leases by managing contract renewals in leasing system, change of ownerships, estoppels, rent reductions in accordance with contract terms, and drafting of legal notices to terminate or not renew leases. Assists fellow Lease Administrator in resolving rent payment conflicts by interpreting and communicating contract language. Prepare detailed analysis pertaining to existing contracts. Identifies risks associated with leases and due diligence and provides such information to Lease Administration Supervisor with proposed solutions. Assists Lease Administration Supervisor with special projects associated with cell tower leases.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

An undergraduate degree with a significant focus in Business, Legal Studies, or a related concentration. A Paralegal certificate from a 1 to 2-year Paralegal program. Prior Sr. Real Estate Paralegal experience in a law firm handling corporate real estate matters with a preference toward handling such matters with a telecom client or clients. 10+ years of work history as a corporate Sr. Real Estate Paralegal. Consideration given to a different undergraduate focus or related concentration if Sr. Real Estate Paralegal work history is greater than referenced herein.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience in cell site acquisition and site decommissioning.

• Experience in interfacing with tower owners, property owners, property management companies, construction managers, as well as with other departments that significantly impact contracts, such as accounting, finance, legal, and engineering.

• Knowledge and experience in administering a large corporate portfolio of leases in a database system.

• Ability to read, interpret, and revise site surveys, legal descriptions, site plans, construction drawings, and engineering spec sheets for lease exhibits.

• Ability to identify conflicting language in draft agreements and resolve same.

• Subject matter expert in identifying and resolving title issues and preparing title curative documents.

• Exceptional contract analysis and summary skills.

• Experience in understanding payment terms in contracts.

• Contract drafting, negotiation and interpreting skills; excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Experience in conflict resolution.

• Excellent cell site project management skills as it pertains to contract management.

• Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office products.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

New Agreements

• New agreements. Identify and resolve issues associated with due diligence (title, survey, prime lease docs, pricing, etc.) for new agreements and prepare and deliver final lease and TSRF/Routing Form to Supervisor for final review and approval for processing.
• Preparing new leases or amendments with additional renewal terms and ensuring full execution prior to the final term expiration date.
• Set-up of new LeaseNet records for every new Lease and adjustments to existing records for amendments; obtain signatures; prepare transmittals; set up contract terms in LeaseNet; agreement uploading, and file maintenance. Project manage all lease administration agreements and non-agreements work by real time status updates and bi-weekly status updates to tracker.

Existing Agreements

• Existing agreements. Identify and resolve issues associated with existing agreements in obtaining estoppels, name changes, and tower sales, and prepare and deliver final documents and TSRF/Routing Form to Supervisor for final review and approval for processing. This includes renewal amendments and any document changing existing lease terms. Ongoing record management including keeping contact information current and records cleaned up. Assist Supervisor as requested in researching and responding to disputes. Assist in audits.
• Work closely with accounting to ensure accuracy and timeliness of lease payables/receivables including initial notification regarding new leases or amendments, as well as timely notices regarding name changes and tower sales.
• LeaseNet system renewals or non-renewals, tracker updates, and renewal notifications to rent payments analyst.
• Assist Supervisor with terminations as requested, including drafting termination legal notices. Prepare notifications to management regarding office/building lease renewals (or new leases) for those in the final term or that require written notice to renew.
• Facilitate the reconciliation of disputed lease payments by providing oversight and direction to the Business Analyst from a contractual standpoint.
• Investigations and research projects that are statistical, documentary, and legal in nature in support of real estate acquisition, disposition, and lease administration processes.
• Make updates to Powerplan based on new amendments or changes to LeaseNet made during the lease renewal process.

Special Projects

• Support special projects as needed. Coordinate with outside organizations to execute requirements in a timely manner.
• Support Lease Administration Team (5%)
• Provide general support and back-up assistance as needed to ensure successful business operations.

Support Lease Administration Team

• Provide general support and back-up assistance as needed to ensure successful business operations.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO ) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Identification: 14394

Job Category: Administrative & Clerical

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Southern LINC