Legal Counsel, Development, Middle East & Africa
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
Marriott International seeks a Legal Counsel for development activities in the Middle East & Africa, based in Dubai. The role involves structuring, drafting, and negotiating franchise and management agreements, leading legal due diligence, and advising on cross-border transactions.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Structure, draft, negotiate and execute franchise and management agreements, residential licensing and management agreements, guaranties, lender agreements (including comfort letters and SNDAs), and related development documentation.
- Advise on existing franchise and management agreement matters, including pre‑opening issues, restructurings, hotel sales, financings, amendments, conversions, and terminations.
- Lead legal due diligence, instruct and supervise outside counsel, and manage legal budgets for development projects.
- Partner closely with Development, Development Asset Management, Operations, Owner & Partner Relations, and Asset Management teams to support transactions from initial structuring through closing and post‑closing matters through project opening.
- Provide advice on proposed transactions and guidance on confidentiality agreements, letters of intent, transaction structuring, tortious interference, trade area restrictions, and related risk considerations.
- Oversee transaction closings, coordinate execution requirements, and manage post closing deliverables and follow up matters.
- Ensure compliance with franchise regulatory requirements, including franchise disclosure obligations, relationship laws, antitrust, agency, and other applicable regulations.
- Navigate complex cross‑border legal environments, coordinating employment, tax, privacy, compliance, insurance, and intellectual property considerations across jurisdictions.
- Develop or support development of forms and best practices.
- Support Law Department initiatives, as appropriate.
Requirements
- Strong academic background and qualification as a lawyer from a common law jurisdiction
- Minimum of 5 years experience in a top‑tier law firm either exclusively or in combination with relevant in house experience
- Active bar membership (US or Canada) or valid practicing certificate (UK or other comparable jurisdiction), as applicable
- Strong transactional and drafting experience, preferably on complex real estate matters, including hospitality or development transactions, or mergers and acquisitions
- Experience managing cross border transactions and coordinating local counsel across multiple jurisdictions is highly preferred
- Excellent transactional contract drafting and negotiation skills in English, as well as deal management skills
- Strong commercial judgment with the ability to deliver practical, business‑aligned legal advice
- Ability to manage multiple complex matters concurrently and independently in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment
- Ability to think analytically, strategically and creatively both from a business and legal perspective
- Strong attention to detail, proactivity and demonstrated ability to take ownership and accountability
- Exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to work effectively across cultures, functions and seniority levels
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, as appropriate
Full Job Posting
Position Summary
- The Legal Counsel – Development, Middle East & Africa provides strategic and transactional legal support to Marriott International’s development activities across the MEA region.
- Based in Dubai and reporting to the Vice President & Senior Legal Counsel – Development, Middle East & Africa, this role supports owned, leased, franchised and managed hotel, residential, and mixed‑use projects, delivering commercially focused legal advice and transactions aligned with Marriott’s bu
Key Responsibilities
- Structure, draft, negotiate and execute franchise and management agreements, residential licensing and management agreements, guaranties, lender agreements (including comfort letters and SNDAs), and related development documentation.
- Advise on existing franchise and management agreement matters, including pre‑opening issues, restructurings, hotel sales, financings, amendments, conversions, and terminations.
- Lead legal due diligence, instruct and supervise outside counsel, and manage legal budgets for development projects.
- Partner closely with Development, Development Asset Management, Operations, Owner & Partner Relations, and Asset Management teams to support transactions from initial structuring through closing and post‑closing matters through project opening.
- Provide advice on proposed transactions and guidance on confidentiality agreements, letters of intent, transaction structuring, tortious interference, trade area restrictions, and related risk considerations.
- Oversee transaction closings, coordinate execution requirements, and manage post closing deliverables and follow up matters.
- Ensure compliance with franchise regulatory requirements, including franchise disclosure obligations, relationship laws, antitrust, agency, and other applicable regulations.
- Navigate complex cross‑border legal environments, coordinating employment, tax, privacy, compliance, insurance, and intellectual property considerations across jurisdictions.
- Develop or support development of forms and best practices.
- Support Law Department initiatives, as appropriate.
Candidate Profile Experience
- Strong academic background and qualification as a lawyer from a common law jurisdiction.
- Minimum of 5 years experience in a top‑tier law firm either exclusively or in combination with relevant in house experience.
- Active bar membership (US or Canada) or valid practicing certificate (UK or other comparable jurisdiction), as applicable.
- Strong transactional and drafting experience, preferably on complex real estate matters, including hospitality or development transactions, or mergers and acquisitions.
- Experience managing cross border transactions and coordinating local counsel across multiple jurisdictions is highly preferred.
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent transactional contract drafting and negotiation skills in English, as well as deal management skills.
- Strong commercial judgment with the ability to deliver practical, business‑aligned legal advice.
- Ability to manage multiple complex matters concurrently and independently in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
- Ability to think analytically, strategically and creatively both from a business and legal perspective.
- Strong attention to detail, proactivity and demonstrated ability to take ownership and accountability.
- Exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to work effectively across cultures, functions and seniority levels.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, as appropriate.
- Commitment to the highest ethical standards and integrity.
- Willingness and flexibility to travel as required.
- Fluency in one or more languages relevant to the market is preferred but not required.
Why Join Marriott International?
- At Marriott International, you’ll help shape landmark development projects across one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
- You’ll work alongside a globally respected legal team, partner closely with senior business leaders, and contribute to iconic brands that define hospitality worldwide.
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