License and Permit Specialist

Essential Functions

Department: Operations
Reports To: Operations Leadership
Position Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Permits & Licensing Analyst supports Circle K Operations by coordinating, tracking, and maintaining permits, licenses, inspections, and regulatory approvals required for new store openings, remodels, and ongoing store operations.

This position serves as a key operational resource, partnering with Store Operations, Facilities, Construction, Real Estate, Legal, Environmental, and external regulatory agencies to ensure required permits and licenses are obtained and maintained.

The Analyst is responsible for providing visibility into licensing and permitting status, proactively following up on outstanding requirements, and escalating potential compliance issues or delays that could impact a store opening, remodel, or continued operation.

Key Responsibilities

Permits & Licensing

• Coordinate and track permits and licenses required for new store openings, remodels, and ongoing operations.
• Research state, county, and local licensing and permitting requirements for assigned locations.
• Prepare, submit, and monitor applications, renewals, modifications, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate operational licenses and approvals that may include:
  • Business licenses
  • Food service and health permits
  • Tobacco and age-restricted product licenses
  • Lottery licenses
  • Alcohol licenses, as applicable
  • Signage permits
  • Fire and life-safety approvals
  • Certificates of Occupancy
  • Other state and local operational requirements
• Support permit and licensing changes resulting from remodels, changes in operations, or new products and services.
• Maintain accurate documentation of licenses, permits, inspections, approvals, and expiration dates.

New Store & Remodel Readiness

• Partner with Operations and project teams to ensure required licenses and regulatory approvals are completed prior to store opening or reopening.
• Maintain a permitting and licensing checklist for each assigned project.
• Track critical milestones and communicate outstanding items that could impact opening dates.
• Participate in new store and remodel readiness meetings as needed.
• Coordinate with Facilities, Construction, and Real Estate when project-related permits affect operational readiness.
• Escalate permitting or licensing risks to Operations leadership in a timely manner.

Compliance & Renewals

• Monitor license and permit expiration dates and coordinate timely renewals.
• Identify potential compliance gaps and work with the appropriate business partners toward resolution.
• Maintain organized records to support internal reviews, audits, and regulatory inquiries.
• Assist Operations with responding to notices or requests from regulatory agencies.
• Support stores in understanding documentation and posting requirements associated with applicable permits and licenses.

Tracking & Reporting

• Maintain a centralized Permits & Licensing Tracker for assigned locations.
• Provide regular reporting on:
  • Applications submitted
  • Approvals received
  • Outstanding requirements
  • Upcoming renewals
  • Expiring licenses
  • Inspection status
  • Compliance concerns
  • Risks to store-opening or remodel timelines
• Follow up with internal and external partners until outstanding items are resolved.
• Maintain accurate electronic records and supporting documentation.

Cross-Functional Partnership

The Analyst will work closely with:

Operations | Facilities | Construction | Real Estate | Legal | Environmental | Finance | Store Leadership | Government Agencies | Vendors

The position serves as a central point of coordination to help ensure Operations has visibility into permitting and licensing requirements affecting stores.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations, Project Management, or related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 1–3 years of experience in operations support, licensing, permitting, compliance, project coordination, facilities, or multi-unit retail preferred.
• Convenience retail, fuel, food service, or other regulated multi-site business experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and project-tracking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple locations, projects, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable communicating with government agencies and regulatory authorities.
• Strong Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Teams, and reporting skills.

Key Competencies

Operational Focus – Understands how permitting and licensing requirements affect store operations.

Accountability & Follow-Through – Takes ownership of assigned items through completion.

Organization – Effectively manages multiple stores, jurisdictions, deadlines, and requirements.

Sense of Urgency – Recognizes issues that could delay an opening or affect store operations and escalates them promptly.

Communication – Provides clear and timely status updates.

Problem Solving – Researches requirements and works across departments to resolve issues.

Attention to Detail – Maintains accurate records and identifies potential gaps before they become operational concerns.

Measures of Success

• New stores and remodels receive required operational approvals by established opening dates.
• Licenses and permits are renewed timely.
• Accurate and current permit/licensing records.
• Reduced last-minute licensing issues impacting store openings.
• Timely escalation of compliance risks.
• Clear reporting and visibility for Operations leadership.
• Effective coordination with stores and cross-functional partners.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are examples of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be considered that might assist those individuals with disabilities in order to perform the essential task and duties.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and/or hear. The employee frequently is required to use his/her hands in order to handle or grasp items of varying weight. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with both hands and arms.

Work Environment: The work environment described below is an example of those an employee will experience while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be considered that might assist those individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks and functions of their job.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate at a normal range.

The lighting will include natural light from the outside as well as fluorescent lighting throughout the work areas.

Annual Salary $70,000-$75,000

Circle K is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA) and all state and local disability laws.  Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the ADA and certain state or local laws as long as it does not impose an undue hardship on the Company. Please inform the Company’s Human Resources Representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

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