Director jobs in United Arab Emirates

Job Title: Associate Director Legal (Hospitality & Real Estate)

Dubai, UAE

This significant Dubai-based developer specializes in large-scale, master-planned communities with a primary focus on luxury hospitality and prime residential projects. Known for delivering world-class destinations, the company blends architectural excellence with immersive guest experiences, creating iconic resorts and hotels in some of the region's most sought-after locations. While residential offerings complement its portfolio, the core emphasis remains on upscale hospitality developments that set new standards in design, service, and sustainability. With a commitment to innovation and long-term value, the company partners with leading global brands and consultants to bring visionary projects to life, shaping the future of luxury living and travel in the Middle East.

Role Overview:

This role assists in leading the legal function across hospitality and real estate operations, supporting residential sales, retail leasing, hospitality transactions, and asset management. The Associate Director ensures compliance, manages legal risk, and provides strategic legal advice to business units.

Key Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts for hospitality and real estate, including hotel management and lease agreements, residential sales, retail leases, and community governance structures.
• Develop and maintain standard legal documentation across transaction types.
• Advise on legal risks, compliance issues, and dispute mitigation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align legal deliverables with business timelines.
• Oversee legal aspects of real estate transactions and hospitality operations, ensuring commercial and legal soundness.
• Mentor junior legal staff and manage team workload.
• Deliver legal training and liaise with external counsel as needed.
• Support governance, policy compliance, and best practice implementation.
• Drive continuous improvement to enhance legal efficiency and reduce exposure to risk.

Qualifications:

• Law degree with 7-10 years of post-qualification experience.
• Extensive experience in real estate and/or hospitality.
• Skilled in managing complex, high-value transactions in dynamic environments.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.