Head of Legal IMEA

IHG; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 440,000 - 662,000; Full time

Job summary

A multinational hospitality company based in the United Arab Emirates is seeking a qualified lawyer to lead their Legal Team for the IMEA business unit. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in corporate legal matters, overseeing complex projects, and managing a legal team. Ideal applicants will possess strong negotiation and communication skills, with a preference for candidates experienced in the hotel industry. This role requires supervision of legal support and ensuring compliance with corporate standards.

Qualifications

• 10 – 12 years post admission experience as corporate/commercial lawyer.
• Experience in hotel/hospitality industry is preferred.
• Broad generalist legal experience covering various domains.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Legal Team for the IMEA BU and coordinate Legal support.
• Oversee complex deals and operational issues in IMEA.
• Manage IMEA sub-regional lawyers to align with business objectives.

Skills

Corporate legal management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Document drafting

Commercial acumen

Leadership skills

Team development

Education

Bachelor of Laws / J.D.

Admission to the Bar / Law Society

Job description

Role Purpose

Leads the Legal Team for the IMEA BU and has overall responsibility for directing and coordinating the provision of Legal support to the IMEA business unit, focusing Legal resources and effort on key business priorities and areas where Legal can add most value to the business.

Key Accountabilities

• Responsible for directing and coordinating the provision of BRR support to IMEA business, in particular in relation to development and operations.
• BRR representative on the IMEA Leadership team, DAC and IMEA Growth Forum.
• Oversees and directly supports complex and/or portfolio deals and operational issues in IMEA, including coordinating with the hotel owners and IHG operations teams on contract variations, renewals, changes of control and other hotel related issues.
• Hands off and then ensures IMEA legal team works in partnership with ‘Head of Litigation & Compliance EMEAA’ in relation to IMEA compliance, debt and litigation.
• Responsible for ensuring clear RACI, systems and processes are embedded for the IMEA hotel lifecycle.
• Supervise and manage IMEA sub-regional lawyers for both MEA and SWA and GOLS System Administrator ensuring they align with business objectives and follow agreed processes.
• Ensure IMEA legal team provides support to corporate functions, including HR, tax and finance.
• Engage and supervise external counsel, which supports IMEA work to ensure quality work is delivered at efficient cost.
• Work with BRR colleagues to ensure IHG’s safety & security standards and priorities are implemented as part of the hotel lifecycle.
• Support BRR LT and BRR teams supporting Global Functions in the creation of BRR team/community in India office.

Critical Expertise & Experience

• Proven track record in managing and handling corporate legal matters and transactions
• Internal and external reputation for integrity and professional capability
• Demonstrated ability and experience in the successful management of multiple complex and/or large-scale projects.
• Strong leadership, management and organizational skills, including team and people development skills.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with proven ability to advise and influence senior management and decision makers. Strong negotiation and presentation skills.
• Excellent English language oral and written communication skills.
• Strong document drafting skills (attention to detail, analytical, solutions focused).
• Strong commercial business acumen and ability to exercise commercial judgment. Sound financial acumen.
• Detailed knowledge of company, industry, region, culture, customs and practices.
• Able to handle all matters independently, able to travel on short notice and work under tight pressure.
• Adapts procedures, processes and techniques to accomplish strategic priorities whilst managing risk exposure.
• Ensures Legal work allocation and resourcing addresses both the needs of the business and the personal/career development aspirations and needs of the team.
• Ability to travel as needed or requested.

Experience –

• Typically has a minimum of 10 – 12 years post admission experience as a corporate/commercial lawyer, preferably a mix of private practice and in‑house experience in a multinational company.
• Experience in the hotel or hospitality industry, including hotel real estate, management and franchise agreements, preferred.
• Membership of an in‑business, cross‑functional management team.
• Experience in managing and developing a Legal team.
• Departmental budget management.
• Broad generalist legal experience, which covers corporate; cross‑border M&A/transactional/FDI; IP/IT; litigation; health & safety; employment; lending and insolvency; data privacy; competition law; cross‑border tax and treasury issues; instructing and managing external counsel; and joint ventures.
• Familiarity with/ability to manage legal issues across multiple jurisdictions and legal systems (preferably including both civil law and common law exposure).
• Qualifications –
  • Bachelor of Laws / J.D.
  • Admission to the Bar / Law Society in a recognised jurisdiction.