Senior Director, Legal Counsel – Development Middle East & Africa

Position Summary
The Senior Director Legal Counsel Development Middle East & Africa provides strategic and transactional legal support to Marriott Internationals development activities across the MEA region. Based in Dubai and reporting to the Vice President & Senior Legal Counsel Development MEA this role supports owned leased franchised and managed hotel residential and mixeduse projects delivering commercially focused legal advice aligned with Marriotts business objective

Scope

• Location: Dubai United Arab Emirates
• Language Requirements: English (Arabic and/or French advantageous)
• Role Type: Individual Contributor
• Travel: Regional travel required
• Hybrid Model: 4 days in the office

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 preopening issues restructurings hotel sales financings amendments conversions and terminations.
• Lead legal due diligence supervise outside counsel and manage legal budgets for development projects.
• Partner closely with development operations franchising and asset management teams to support transactions from initial structuring through closing and postclosing matters.
• Provide guidance on confidentiality agreements letters of intent transaction structuring trade area restrictions and related risk considerations.
• Ensure compliance with franchise regulatory requirements including franchise disclosure obligations relationship laws antitrust agency and other applicable regulations.
• Navigate complex crossborder legal environments coordinating employment tax privacy compliance insurance and IP considerations across jurisdictions.
  

Candidate Profile
Experience

• Strong academic background and qualification as a lawyer with a common law foundation.
• Minimum of 4 years experience in a toptier law firm or comparable inhouse corporate environment.
• Active bar membership (US) or valid practicing certificate (UK or other jurisdiction) as applicable.
• Proven experience advising on complex real estate and hospitality development transactions including mixeduse developments financings acquisitions and dispositions.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills in English.
• Strong commercial judgment with the ability to deliver practical businessaligned legal solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple complex matters concurrently in a fastpaced deadlinedriven environment.
• Strong analytical skills attention to detail and strategic thinking.
• High level of autonomy accountability and initiative.
• Exceptional interpersonal and stakeholdermanagement skills with the ability to work effectively across cultures and seniority levels.
• Commitment to the highest ethical standards and integrity.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel as required.

Why Join Marriott International
At Marriott International youll help shape landmark development projects across one of the worlds most dynamic regions. Youll work alongside a globally respected legal team partner closely with senior business leaders and contribute to iconic brands that define hospitality worldwide.

Bring your talent expertise to the world stage. Apply today and make your mark with Marriott International.

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At Marriott International we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture talent and experiences of our are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis including disability veteran status or other basis protected by applicable law.