Director & Counsel, Hotel Openings & Operations EMEA

What are we looking for?

•    As a problem solver, you will seek to find solutions to drive the business goals, while advising on risk.
•    A creative thinker, you will find solutions to problems, connect business partners with legal experts and constantly think of ways to be more efficient and collaborative.    
•    Exceptional critical thinking and both quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, with the ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions to problems.
•    Ability to understand complex legal concepts and relay them in persuasive, simple terms to business partners to enable informed decision-making.
•    Ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions, even among seemingly unrelated events.
•    Absolute discretion and confidentiality regarding sensitive information.
•    Developed and demonstrable legal drafting skills and legal analysis.

Attributes/skills

The success in this role will demonstrate itself through the following attributes and skills:

•    Comfortable working with legal professionals (both in-house and in private practice).
•    Ability to exercise independent judgment, decision making skills and discretion (with supporting guidance from the legal team) to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and to provide recommendations for optimal solutions.
•    Ability to work well under pressure and effectively handle multiple, concurrent demands and appropriately prioritise responsibilities.
•    Effective communication and comprehension skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely express ideas both verbally and in writing.
•    Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with key internal and external partners.
•    Experience negotiating contracts.
•    Keen attention to detail.
•    Ability to cut through ambiguity and obtain/review/implement local law advice from a variety of jurisdictions with different legal systems.
•    Understanding of corporate structures and different forms of legal persons, as well as financial statement and structures.
•    Experience of working in a large organisation with the ability to co-ordinate with different offices and functions.
•    A hands-on, pragmatic work style – a “doer”.
•    Act on your own initiative and know when it is appropriate to seek support or guidance.
•    Excellent organisational skills, the ability to manage a large number and variety of mission-critical projects, working both independently and collaboratively and often against tight deadlines with the ability to prioritise and follow up where required.
•    Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage details through to completion and ensure project deadlines are met.
•    Resilient, assertive, patient, robust and independent.
•    A self-starter with confidence and high degree of professionalism.
•    Self-motivated and success orientated.
•    Able to work alone and as part of a small professional team.
•    Efficient and well organised.
•    Sound and practical business judgement and strong commercial awareness.
•    Strict compliance with applicable laws, company policies and the highest standards of professional responsibility, ethics and integrity.
•    Ability to demonstrate and exemplify hospitable service skills appropriate to the hospitality industry.
•    Ability and desire to take responsibility and act in a fast paced environment.

Required Qualifications

•    Significant PQE
•    LLB/BA/BS/Bachelor's Degree – a law degree from a ‘common law’ jurisdiction (or equivalent professional training)
•    Completion of the Legal Practice Course or Bar Vocational Course (or equivalent professional training)
•    Experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department as a counsel (or equivalent position)
•    Commercial law and marketing law experience, including drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and understanding of corporate structures
•    Strong IT skills and numerically literate
•    Proficient in carrying out legal research
•    Ability to travel when required to do so – 10% 

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

•    The preferred candidate would have experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department
•    Understanding of hotel sector and hotel operations in particular

What will it be like to work for Hilton?

Hilton is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For more than a century, Hilton has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. Hilton is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands.  Our vision “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” unites us as a team to create remarkable hospitality experiences around the world every day.  And, our amazing Team Members are at the heart of it all! 

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