Legal Counsel, Development, Middle East & Africa

Position Summary

The 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 Middle East & Africa this role supports owned leased franchised and managed hotel residential and mixeduse projects delivering commercially focused legal advice and transactions aligned with Marriotts business objectives.

Scope

Location: Dubai United Arab Emirates

Language Requirements: English (Arabic and/or French advantageous)

Travel: Regional travel required

Role Type: Individual Contributor

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 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 postclosing 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 crossborder 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 toptier 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 businessaligned legal advice.
• Ability to manage multiple complex matters concurrently and independently in a fastpaced deadlinedriven 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 stakeholdermanagement 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 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 legal 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.