Corporate Counsel - Hotel Development

Job description

Marriott International offers you the opportunity to find the hospitality job and career journey that's right for you. With more than 1100 managed properties and 18 brands you'll find us in your neighborhood and in more than 74 countries across the globe. Find Your World™ at Marriott.

The Marriott International Law Department services the Company's lodging business. The London, Eschborn and Zurich offices of the Law Department provide legal services to support the development and lodging operations of all Marriott-branded lodging products in Europe.

JOB SUMMARY
This position will be located in Marriott International's office in Eschborn, Germany or London, UK and will report to a Vice President & Senior Counsel.

Please note that this is the same position than job reference: 15001ISP. This posting is for location London, UK.

This position will provide legal services to support the development and operation of all Marriott-branded lodging products in Europe, including its full-service Marriott and Renaissance brands, luxury Ritz-Carlton and EDITION brands, and select service Moxy, AC, Residence Inn and Courtyard brands. Initially this position will primarily handle development of franchised select service hotels, but will also work on development of managed hotels and operational matters.

The legal services provided in this position will support all phases of Marriott's hotel development and operations in Europe, including drafting and negotiating franchise agreements, hotel management agreements, leases and related agreements. This position will require an ability to deal with a broad array of topics, including franchise and licensing, hotel management agreements, real estate development, debt and equity financing, guarantees, joint ventures, risk-management and employee related issues. Familiarity with financing and development techniques and practices is preferred. This position will require the ability to structure, manage and negotiate complex transactions, supervise outside counsel, understand local law issues, work effectively with owners, developers and lenders across varied cultures and legal environments, and coordinate tax, insurance, intellectual property and design issues within Marriott.

EXPECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
The primary responsibilities of this attorney will be:
·  Draft, negotiate and review franchise agreements, management agreements, tri-party lender agreements (i.e., comfort letters and subordination and non-disturbance agreements), guarantees, loan and credit enhancement documentation, and other contracts.
· Handle legal due diligence, coordinate with other members of the development team, coordinate various conversion matters on the takeover of an existing property, monitor compliance with local laws, draft and negotiate closing documents, oversee closings, and follow up on post-closing matters.
· Respond to a variety of operational issues with franchisees and owners, including quality assurance matters, and negotiating and drafting agreements relating to changes of ownership, workouts and terminations.
· Provide preliminary advice on proposed transactions with respect to confidentiality agreements, structuring transactions, letters of intent, tortious interference and trade area restrictions.
· Provide day-to-day advice to numerous areas of the Company including development, hotel operations and franchising.
· Provide advice and ensure compliance with franchise regulatory requirements (including preparing franchise disclosure documents), franchise disclosure and relationship laws, and other relevant laws, including antitrust and agency.
· Supervise outside counsel and manage project legal budgets.
· Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, ground leases, development agreements, finance documentation and ownership structuring agreements, such as joint ventures and condominiums.
· Draft and negotiate documents involved with multi-unit refinancings, sale/leaseback, and sale/management back transactions.

CANDIDATE PROFILE - Experience/ Skills/ Knowledge
· This position will require an independent and creative attorney capable of working on and managing multiple projects in locations throughout Europe.
· Minimum of three years transactional legal experience in a well-regarded law firm or multi-national corporate environment, with an emphasis on real estate transactions, development, and/or financing.
·  Must be fluent in English and have an excellent academic record (both undergraduate and law school).
· Active Bar membership (if licensed in the United States /practicing certificate).
· Experience with franchising or hotel management agreements preferred.
· In-depth knowledge and experience with complex financing, joint ventures, acquisitions and real estate transactions, including a substantial proportion of cross-border transactions.
· Excellent contract drafting and negotiating skills in English.
· Ability to expeditiously identify and analyze issues and provide legally sound recommendations consistent with good business practices and reason.
· Ability to work in a fast paced environment and handle multiple competing priorities.
· Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to interact effectively and work diplomatically with individuals at all levels.
· Excellent conflict management skills, and ability to influence without coercion.
· Ability to take ownership of and effectively resolve problems.
· Fluency in another European language in addition to English preferred.
· Willingness to travel.

Desired profile

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Marriott International does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.