Legal Head - Hospitality & Investments

Our client, a leading player in the hospitality industry, is seeking an experienced Legal Head to join their dynamic team. This pivotal role encompasses a broad range of legal responsibilities specific to the hospitality sector, including hotel development, operations, franchising, real estate transactions, hospitality investments, and compliance with industry regulations. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in hospitality-related legal documentation, processes, and formalities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage, structure, draft, negotiate, execute, and advise on franchise and management agreements, residential licenses, tri-party lender agreements (e.g., comfort letters and subordination and non-disturbance agreements), guaranties, loan and credit enhancement documentation, and other relevant contracts.
• Conduct legal due diligence, coordinate with the development team on property takeovers, ensure compliance with local laws, draft and negotiate closing documents, oversee closings, and handle post-closing matters.
• Provide preliminary advice on proposed transactions, including confidentiality agreements, transaction structuring, letters of intent, tortious interference, and trade area restrictions.
• Offer day-to-day legal advice to various departments within the company, particularly in hotel development, operations, and franchising.
• Oversee legal aspects of hospitality investments, including investment structuring, financing, joint ventures, and asset management.
• Develop and implement risk management strategies, ensuring that all legal risks are identified and mitigated effectively.
• Supervise outside counsel, manage project legal budgets, and ensure cost-effective legal solutions.

Candidate Profile:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Law.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of in-house or private practice experience with a strong focus on the hospitality industry, including hospitality investments.
•  Admission to legal practice or membership in a national legal Bar Association in good standing.
• In-depth knowledge of hospitality operations, franchising, and investment processes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess and mitigate legal risks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; proficiency in Arabic is advantageous.

Note: This job description provides a high-level overview of the responsibilities and qualifications for the role. The actual scope of responsibilities may vary.