Legal Counsel - Development MEA

Hilton Worldwide, Inc.; Dubai; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in hospitality seeks a skilled Counsel to join its Global Legal team. This role involves providing legal expertise for development projects across the EMEA region, focusing on new hotel developments and franchise agreements. You'll collaborate with a diverse team, managing negotiations and legal strategies while fostering partnerships with external counsel. If you're ready to make a significant impact in a dynamic and multicultural environment, this opportunity is perfect for you. Join a company committed to exceptional experiences and a supportive team culture.

Qualifications

• Legal qualification from a common law jurisdiction with relevant experience.
• Experience in transactional law and managing demanding clients.

Responsibilities

• Providing legal support for new hotel projects in EMEA.
• Leading negotiation strategies and managing legal department budgets.

Skills

Transactional Law

Negotiation Skills

Relationship Building

Strategic Thinking

Commercial Awareness

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Degree from a Common Law Jurisdiction

Job description

Hilton is one of the largest and fastest growing hospitality companies in the world, with more than 7,600 properties and over 1.1 million rooms across 126 countries and territories. Over the past 100+ years, we have defined the hospitality industry with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the most recognized hotel brand globally. Hilton was recently named the World’s Best Workplace by Great Places to Work and Fortune Magazine, and our customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors, has more than 170 million members.

What will I be doing?

As a Counsel in the Development group within the Global Legal team, you will provide legal expertise across the EMEA region, supporting development projects and business partners related to new hotel developments. You will report to the Vice President & Senior Counsel, Development and Real Estate, EMEA, and work on management and franchise agreements, amendments, variations, and provide broader legal guidance on Hilton’s EMEA operations.

Your responsibilities will include:

1. Providing legal support to Development business partners in EMEA for new hotel projects.
2. Leading negotiation strategies, transaction management, and deal structuring.
3. Offering legal advice and support across various functions including Development, Retention, Real Estate, Operations, and others.
4. Supporting contractual dispute resolution and protecting company interests.
5. Managing legal department budgets and external counsel relationships.
6. Assisting in global initiatives and legal strategy development.
7. Implementing legal strategies for development and owner relations issues.
8. Developing and delivering training and self-service programs for business partners.
9. Improving legal systems and procedures and managing knowhow for the team.
10. Fostering partnerships with external counsel and internal teams.

Collaboration and Ownership

You will work closely with the EMEA Development legal team, which includes 9 lawyers and 3 paralegals, and coordinate with development and other business teams. You will support development projects, especially in the GCC region with a focus on KSA, and take ownership of legal support for these initiatives.

What are we looking for?

We seek a candidate with:

• Legal qualification from a common law jurisdiction and relevant experience as a lawyer.
• Experience in transactional law, including negotiations and managing demanding clients.
• Experience working internationally in a multicultural environment.
• Strong relationship-building, strategic thinking, and commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work flexibly across time zones.
• Experience working with outside counsel and managing external legal resources.
• Interpersonal skills that foster trust and influence.
• Ability to lead collaborative efforts and proactively solve problems.

Minimum Qualifications

Degree from a common law jurisdiction and relevant post-qualification experience, with background in commercial real estate, corporate, or commercial law, including drafting and negotiation skills. Familiarity with multiple legal jurisdictions and travel up to 10% may be required.

Preferred Experience

Experience in hospitality, management and franchise agreements, Middle East legal work, asset and corporate transactions, hotel operations legal issues, and dispute resolution experience, especially in arbitration or mediation, would be advantageous.

What’s it like to work at Hilton?

Hilton is a global leader in hospitality, committed to providing exceptional experiences and fostering a supportive team environment. Our vision is to "fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality," and our team members are central to achieving this goal.