Virtuoso is the leading global travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 1,200 travel agency locations with more than 20,000 travel advisors in 58 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing upon its preferred relationships with 2,800 of the world’s best hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Annual sales of (U.S.) $35 billion make Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.
The Associate General Counsel leads Virtuoso’s legal function and serves as senior legal advisor to the President, executive leadership, and the board. This is a working leadership role: in addition to leading the department and owning the organization’s legal risk posture, the Associate General Counsel personally handles the most complex corporate, governance, regulatory, employment, IP, and dispute matters, serves as Corporate Secretary, and is the escalation point for the team.
Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Leadership and Advisory
- Advise the President, executive leadership, and the board on legal rights, obligations, and risk; own legal risk acceptance, provide quarterly legal risk reporting, and serve as senior legal representative at Virtuoso advisory board meetings.
- Lead, develop, and retain the legal team, and set the department’s operating model: intake standards, approval thresholds, playbooks, service levels, and reporting.
- Corporate Governance and Entities
- Serve as Corporate Secretary and lead governance for Virtuoso, Ltd. and its global subsidiaries, including board and committee support, resolutions, officer and director changes, and corporate records.
- Direct entity formation, structuring, and maintenance across regions with Finance and tax advisors; support new market entry; and advise on financing, insurance, real estate, and strategic transactions.
- Oversee data protection officer and local privacy representative requirements across jurisdictions with the Senior Counsel, Privacy, Technology & Data.
- Disputes, Employment and Regulatory
- Direct strategy for litigation, arbitration, investigations, subpoenas, and claims, including insurer coordination.
- Advise Culture & Human Resources on separations, reductions in force, independent contractor classification, and international hiring.
- Own regulatory compliance across competition and antitrust law, travel regulation (including seller of travel), sanctions, consumer protection, marketing and promotions, and emerging AI legislation; maintain the Code of Conduct and compliance training.
- Brand, Outside Counsel and Budget
- Own IP and brand protection strategy for the global portfolio, including enforcement, oppositions, and infringement disputes, with outside IP counsel handling prosecution.
- Manage a panel of outside counsel by region and specialty, and own the department budget, including outside counsel spend by matter.
Educational and Skills Requirements:
- JD from an ABA accredited law school; active license in good standing in a U.S. jurisdiction, with State Bar of Texas membership or eligibility to register as Registered In-House Counsel in Texas
- 12 or more years of practice, including at least 5 years in-house; law firm experience preferred
- Corporate governance, corporate secretary, and multi-entity experience in an organization with international operations
- Experience directing litigation and managing outside counsel with budget accountability
- Broad generalist judgment across commercial, employment, and regulatory matters, and experience leading a legal team
- Travel, hospitality, membership, or network business experience, including seller of travel and independent contractor issues preferred
- Experience supporting a board of directors or advisory board preferred
- Antitrust experience in networks, consortia, or trade associations, and working knowledge of privacy and AI regulation preferred
Travel Requirements:
- Infrequent travel may be required to attend company events (less than 5%).
- Travel will be primarily domestic but may include some international.
Type/Nature of Contacts:
- External: Outside counsel, insurers, auditors, regulators, and global boards and committees.
- Internal: President, executive leadership, the board, and Vice President and Director level staff across all divisions and regions.
We offer a competitive salary and full benefits package, including medical/dental/vision/life, 401(k) savings plan, and more. Virtuoso is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to promoting a diverse workforce.
Pay ranges are intended to cover roles based across the United States. An individual's base pay depends on various factors including geographical location, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant.