Job Description

Senior Director & Senior Counsel Development EMEA


Hilton is one of the largest and fastest growing hospitality companies in the world, with more than 7,600 properties with more than 1.1 million rooms in 126 countries and territories. In the 100+ years since our founding, we have defined the hospitality industry and established a portfolio of 24 world-class brands, including our flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand, which is the most recognized hotel brand in the world. Hilton was recently crowned World's Best Workplace by Great Places to Work and Fortune Magazine and we have more than 170 million members in our award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors.

What will I be doing?

As a Senior Counsel in the Development group within the Global Legal team, you will provide expertise across the EMEA region, overseeing legal support to Development business partners in relation to the development of new hotel and branded residential projects. You will form part of the Development group within the Legal team reporting to the Vice President & Senior Counsel, Development and Real Estate, EMEA. You will work on management, franchise and branded residential agreements for new hotel and branded residential projects, handle all amendments, variations and other issues relating to any such agreements once signed and generally provide legal advice and guidance on Hilton's wider business affairs in EMEA as may generally be required.


Your responsibilities will also include:

Providing and/or overseeing legal support to Development business partners in EMEA in relation to the development of new hotel and branded residential projects. Leading on the development and execution of negotiation strategy, transaction management and deal structuring. Providing and/or overseeing legal advice, negotiation and support to Business Partners in Development, Retention, Real Estate, Operations, Finance, HR, Corporate Communications and other functions in relation to Hilton's wider business affairs in EMEA relating to existing operating agreements including retention, amendment, interpretation and owner relations matters generally. Providing support and strategic guidance to the business when contractual disputes arise, working to protect the company and find appropriate commercial solutions when available. Helping to ensure the Legal Department's EMEA operations are conducted within established budgetary parameters and requirements including engaging and managing outside counsel in accordance with engagement policies and budgets. Assisting the Vice President & Senior Counsel, Development and Real Estate, EMEA and other senior legal colleagues globally in the coordination, deployment and implementation of global initiatives and priorities. Developing and implementing legal strategies to address development, retention and owner relation issues. Formulating and delivering training programs for business partners and identifying, planning and implementing additional self-service programs for business partners to help themselves on recurring matters wherever possible. Working with Hilton Legal's standard systems and procedures and assisting in their continuous improvement and updating. Undertaking knowhow development and management for the Development group. Leveraging effective partnerships with outside counsel resources, internal clients, and other corporate departments.

How you will collaborate with others:

The EMEA Development group in Legal currently has 8 lawyers and 3 paralegals with whom you will work. The group works closely on all issues relating to Hilton's development pipeline across the region. You will also work with business partners in the Development team and across other functions who support Hilton's development efforts and our wider business.

What initiatives you will take ownership of:

You will take the lead on development and branded residential projects. Dotted line supervision of new paralegal within team in respect of development workload.

What are we looking for?

Success will demonstrate itself through the following attributes and skills:

Highly experienced independent legal professional and negotiator. Excellent transaction management experience including negotiating complex legal documents to their conclusion. Experience in managing a pool of very demanding clients. Experience of working internationally in a multicultural, decentralised environment. Ability to create and maintain strong relations with all levels in an organisation. High developed strategic and analytical skills, presenting solutions to challenges. Strong commercial awareness. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely express ideas both verbally and in writing. Able to work irregular hours to accommodate global time differences and to meet deadlines. Ability to work with and get the best out of outside counsel. Highly developed interpersonal skills that build trust and instill confidence in order to motivate and influence others.



The ability to initiate and direct collaborative efforts of multiple teams throughout an organisation, including internal resources, external resources and other constituent groups as appropriate with aim of furthering strategic goals. Excellent problem-solving skills, including the ability to effectively address any issue in collaboration with others as appropriate; ability to proactively identify and prevent potential problems.

To fulfill this role successfully, you must possess the following minimum qualifications and experience:

Degree from a common law jurisdiction and other appropriate legal qualifications to practice as a qualified lawyer.


Post-qualification experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal senior counsel role. Strong experience with a background in any of commercial real estate, corporate and/or commercial law including excellent drafting and negotiation skills and familiarity with corporate structures including joint ventures, partnerships and limited liability companies. Strong experience and a proven track record in the hospitality sector including working with management and franchise agreements. Exposure to legal frameworks in multiple jurisdictions.


Travel up to 10% of time (as required).

It would be useful in this position for you to demonstrate the following capabilities and distinctions:

Experience of working in the Middle East. Experience of working on asset and corporate disposals and acquisitions. Experience of working on branded residential projects, including familiarity with marketing licence agreements and governing documents. Experience of hotel operations legal work. Exposure to international disputes and their resolution via forums such as arbitration/mediation/court processes. Solid knowledge of issues relating to data protection and trademarks.

What is it like working for Hilton?

Hilton is proud to support the mental and physical wellbeing of all Team Members so they can Thrive personally and professionally in a diverse and inclusive environment, thanks to our benefits, such as the Go Hilton travel program, employee stock purchase program, and paid time off including parental leave.


Hilton, the #1 World's Best Workplace, is a leading global hospitality company with a diverse portfolio of world-class brands. Dedicated to filling the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, we have welcomed more than 3 billion guests in our more-than 100-year history. Hilton is proud to have an award-winning workplace culture and we are consistently named among one of the World's Best Workplaces. Check out the Hilton Careers blog and Instagram to learn more about what it's like to be on Team Hilton!


It is the policy of Hilton to employ qualified persons without regard to color, race, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medication conditions), gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, military service, status as a protected veteran, disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable law, genetic information, or any other protected group status as defined by and subject to applicable federal, state and local laws.


We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position and provide other benefits and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable law. Please contact us if you require an accommodation during the application process.