Business License and Operational Compliance Team Lead

Soar with us at Wawa.

We believe we can make life a little better every day – one smile, hoagie, or experience at a time. And there’s one secret ingredient that truly sets Wawa apart: Our Associates. At Wawa, you’ll be part of a caring team that’s dedicated to helping all of us fly high – together. We’re team players, day-brighteners, and go-getters: and we know that Wawa is a place where we can build skills to thrive and open doors to new career opportunities. We’re proud to be a part of a winning team of Associate owners who shape our success. We’re committed to helping our communities and one another at every turn, because we know that when we fly together, there’s no limit to how far we can go. Ready to be part of a team that helps you reach new heights? Join our flock and get ready to soar.

Job Description

Job Title: Business License & Operational Compliance Team Lead

Location: Corporate

Department: Store Operations

Job Summary: The Business License and Operational Compliance Team Lead oversees licensing and regulatory documentation to support new store growth and annual license renewals. This role executes the established compliance governance playbook by coordinating with cross‑functional partners to gather required operational inputs and ensure they are accurately captured for licensing purposes. After compliance needs are identified, the Team Lead coordinates handoff to support teams for implementation and ongoing monitoring. The role provides guidance across the full licensing lifecycle, manages key internal and external relationships, ensures timely and compliant execution of all licensing activities, and drives continuous improvement.

Principal Duties:

• Licensing & Compliance Leadership: Oversee the acquisition, renewal, and compliance tracking of all Business Licenses. Ensure regulatory requirements are met, help establish standardized procedures, and proactively identify dependencies & risks that could impact new store project timelines.
  • Coordinate with local authorities, external partners, and internal stakeholders to ensure all required documentation is accurately submitted. Monitor annual renewals and maintain strict compliance with all state-specific regulations.
  • Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for the Licensing system and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the system.
  • Oversee, manage and test system releases and enhancements, research problems and provide appropriate responses. Responsible for reviewing releases and determining potential impacts. Maintain complete documentation on system processes and procedures.
  • Ensure accurate and timely entry of licensing details for all new store openings within the Licensing and/or ERP systems. Maintain system data integrity and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure licensing information is up to date, complete, and audit-ready.
  • Serve as the primary liaison between Construction, Legal, Government Relations, and other internal domain owners.
  • Implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, and strengthen interdepartmental communication.
  • Manage all ongoing operational license renewals and ensure continuity of store operations by preventing license expirations.
  • Process and approve payments
• Operational Compliance Lead: Continuously refine the governance process used to identify local operational compliance requirements, collaborating with cross‑functional partners (Construction, Legal, Government Relations, Store Operations, Quality Assurance) to ensure requirements are captured consistently across new and existing markets.

• Assist with setting clear expectations, ensuring partners complete required research and implementation steps, and escalating risks when compliance needs are not met.
• Document all compliance requirements and ensure they are captured, communicated, and tracked through to successful implementation and ongoing support.
• Implementation Handoff: After compliance requirements are identified, coordinate the handoff to support teams (e.g. Store Operations, People, QA) for implementation.
• Monitor progress and provide guidance to ensure successful execution and ongoing compliance.
• Provide overall direction for team and support and monitor and assess individual work in accordance with high standards of excellence. Provide feedback, coaching, support, opportunities for development, complete performance appraisals, take corrective action when appropriate, and participate in hiring decisions.

Essential Functions:

• Strong leadership, supervisory, and team-coordination skills
• Strong communication skills and stakeholder-management abilities
• Customer service oriented.
• Establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity, and teamwork
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and drive results
• Attention to detail, organizational efficiency, and process discipline
• Strong time management with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Independent research

Basic Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree preferred, Bachelor’s a plus
• 3+ years of experience, preferably in regulatory, licensing or related field with demonstrated supervisory responsibilities
• Experience with Microsoft’s Office Suite, especially Excel, and Word
• Experience with SAP , Tango, LicensePro a plus

Wawa will provide reasonable accommodation to complete an application upon request, consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation, please contact our Associate Service Center at [email protected].

Wawa, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Wawa maintains a work environment in which Associates are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and Associates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.