Corporate Counsel

Hyatt; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free hotel stays

Flexible work schedule

Headspace subscription

Family assistance policy

Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K

Job summary

Hyatt seeks a seasoned attorney to provide practical legal guidance supporting hotel operations across the Americas. You will work with Operations, Risk Management, and hotel leadership on a wide range of operational and business matters while protecting Hyatt's brand and reducing risk.

You will partner with business teams on complex operational issues, contribute to policy development, training, and enterprise initiatives, and help shape legal strategies across Hyatt's portfolio.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of legal experience in private practice or in-house counsel.
• Juris Doctorate (JD) from a accredited school.
• Experience in commercial transactions, real estate, litigation, or contracting.

Responsibilities

• Advise on operational, sales, distribution, and commercial matters for managed hotels across the Americas.
• Support hotel safety, risk management, and other operational initiatives.
• Negotiate and advise on vendor and commercial agreements; develop contracting standards.
• Collaborate with transactional legal teams and business stakeholders on ownership changes and transitions.
• Develop and implement operational policies, guidance, and best practices.
• Partner with cross-functional teams on enterprise projects and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Legal experience

JD (Juris Doctorate)

Commercial transactions

Real estate

Contracting

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Job description

The Opportunity

Join a dynamic team where no two days are the same, providing practical legal guidance that supports Hyatt's hotel operations and business objectives across the Americas. Working closely with Operations, Risk Management, Commercial Services, and hotel leadership, you will advise on a wide range of operational, compliance, and business matters while helping protect Hyatt's brand and manage legal risk.

The Opportunity

Join a dynamic team where no two days are the same, providing practical legal guidance that supports Hyatt's hotel operations and business objectives across the Americas. Working closely with Operations, Risk Management, Commercial Services, and hotel leadership, you will advise on a wide range of operational, compliance, and business matters while helping protect Hyatt's brand and manage legal risk. You will partner with business teams to address complex operational issues, assess and resolve legal risks, and develop practical solutions that support hotels and enhance the guest experience. This role also provides opportunities to contribute to policy development, training, and enterprise initiatives that promote consistency, operational excellence, and proactive risk management. This is an excellent opportunity to work at the intersection of law and hotel operations, collaborating with leaders across the organization and helping shape legal strategies, business processes, and operational practices that have a meaningful impact across Hyatt's portfolio. You will be part of a team that is passionate about our purpose, committed to nurturing curiosity and new skills, and building connections across the organization with colleagues, customers, and guests.

Who We Are

At Hyatt, we believe in the power of belonging and creating a culture of care, where our colleagues become family. Since 1957, our colleagues and our guests have been at the heart of our business and helped Hyatt become one of the best and fastest-growing hospitality brands in the world. Our transformative growth and the addition of new hotels, brands, and business lines can open the door for exciting career and growth opportunities for our colleagues.

As we continue to grow, we never lose sight of what’s most important: People. We turn trips into journeys, encounters into experiences, and jobs into careers.

Why Now?

This is an exciting time to be at Hyatt. We are growing rapidly and are looking for passionate changemakers to be a part of our journey. The hospitality industry is resilient and continues to offer dynamic opportunities for upward mobility, and Hyatt is no exception.

How We Care For Our People

What sets us apart is our purpose—to care for people so they can be their best. Every business decision is made through the lens of our purpose, and it informs how we have and will continue to support each other as members of the Hyatt family. Our care for our colleagues is the key to our success. We’re proud to have earned a place on Fortune’s prestigious 100 Best Companies to Work For® list since 2013. This recognition is a testament to the tremendous way our Hyatt family continues to come together to care for one another, our commitment to a culture of inclusivity, empathy, and respect, and making sure everyone feels like they belong.

Benefits

• Annual allotment of free hotel stays at Hyatt hotels globally
• Flexible work schedule
• Work-life benefits including wellbeing initiatives such as a complimentary Headspace subscription, and a discount at the on-site fitness center
• A global family assistance policy with paid time off following the birth or adoption of a child as well as financial assistance for adoption
• Paid Time Off, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with company match

Who You Are

As our ideal candidate, you understand the power and purpose of our culture of care, and embody our core values of Empathy, Inclusion, Integrity, Experimentation, Respect, and Wellbeing. You enjoy working with others, are results-driven, and are looking for a variety of opportunities to develop personally and professionally.

The Role

Responsibilities include providing legal support for hotel operations, commercial initiatives, and enterprise projects across the Americas. This includes:

• Advising on operational, sales, distribution, and commercial matters affecting managed hotels
• Supporting hotel safety, security, risk management, and other operational initiatives
• Negotiating and advising on vendor, commercial, and other operational agreements while supporting the development of contracting standards
• Partnering with transactional legal teams and business stakeholders to support hotel ownership changes, management transitions, and other strategic business transactions
• Developing and implementing operational policies, guidance, and best practices
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams—including Development, Finance, Tax, Risk Management, and Commercial Services—on strategic initiatives and enterprise projects

Qualifications

Experience Required

• 4 - 6 years of legal experience in either private law firm or in-house counsel position
• Degree from a four-year college with a strong academic performance and an interest in learning more about the practice of law.
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.)
• Experience in one or more of the following: commercial transactions, real estate, litigation, or commercial contracting.

Experience Preferred

• Prior experience working in a service industry or providing legal services in the hospitality or commercial real estate industry is extremely helpful, not required

The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all-encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.

The salary range for this position is $160,000 to $180,000. This position is also eligible to earn incentive awards, an annual bonus, monthly or quarterly incentives, etc.

The final pay rate/salary offered to the successful candidate will depend on experience, skill level, and other qualifications for the role, as well as the location of the performance of work. Pay for the successful candidate will meet local requirements, including the local minimum wage rate.