We are seeking a qualified Senior Legal Counsel with strong hospitality sector experience to join a dynamic and fast-growing hospitality business.
This role will act as a strategic legal partner to the Hospitality Division, supporting hotel development, operations, franchising, real estate transactions and corporate governance matters. The successful candidate will play a critical role in enabling business growth while mitigating risk and protecting high-value hospitality assets.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the drafting, review and negotiation of Hotel Management Agreements (HMAs), franchise agreements, lease agreements, technical services agreements, branded F&B contracts, and related hospitality documentation
- Support hotel acquisitions, disposals, leasing, and complex real estate transactions
- Conduct and oversee legal due diligence on hotel assets, operators, and development projects
- Advise on joint ventures, MoUs, shareholder agreements, and group structuring
- Ensure compliance with hospitality regulations, licensing, tourism, consumer protection, and data protection laws
- Manage vendor, OS&E and FF&E procurement contracts
- Provide strategic legal guidance on employment matters within hotel operations
- Oversee dispute resolution including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration
- Develop and enhance contract templates and legal policies to mitigate recurring risks
- Act as a senior legal advisor to Development, Operations, Finance, HR and Procurement teams
Requirements
- Qualified Lawyer (LLB or equivalent) with admission to practice in a recognised jurisdiction
- 710 years post-qualification experience
- Mandatory experience within the hotel / hospitality sector
- Proven track record negotiating hotel management and related hospitality agreements
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
- Experience in hospitality-related real estate transactions
- UAE/GCC experience is advantageous
Profile
We are looking for a commercially astute, business-oriented legal professional who thrives in a fast-paced hospitality and real estate environment. You will be solutions-driven, resilient, detail-focused, and confident advising senior stakeholders across multi-jurisdictional projects.
This is an excellent opportunity for a hospitality-focused lawyer seeking a strategic, senior-level role within a growing platform.
