Expires soon IHG

Legal Counsel

  • Denham (Buckinghamshire)
  • Sales

Job description



Description

Who we are

IHG is one of the world’s leading hotel companies, promising to provide True Hospitality for everyone; making you feel welcome and cared for, recognised and respected, wherever you are in the world. Whether you’re looking for affordability or luxury, we can cater for you.

 

With over 5,500 hotels over the globe and an ever-growing pipeline, our portfolio of brands is constantly changing, as seen with the recent acquisition of the luxury hotel chain, Six Senses.

 

Join us and not only can you benefit from the world of variety and opportunity, you can also look forward to being part of a company that will appreciate you for simply being you.

Your day to day

This is a new role within the Europe legal team which has been created to help achieve our “2X” growth ambition.

 

You will support the company’s hotel system size and net new hotel signing targets by preparing and negotiating franchise, management and other agreements as required throughout the hotel life-cycle. 

 

The primary focus will be working with our Development and Finance teams on both new and renewal of hotel franchises and management agreements. With hundreds of pipeline and operating hotels in our portfolio and due to the voluminous investment market in Europe, the successful candidate would also work with internal and external partners to run our changes of ownerships work (a mixture of both asset sales and share sales). These range from large multi-branded portfolios across EMEAA to smaller, individual hotel sales.

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

·  Prepares and negotiates letters of intent, franchise agreements, management agreements and other hotel development related agreements

 

·  Support on franchise and management agreement renewals throughout Europe

 

·  Carries out and assesses owner due diligence including corporate due diligence (a one-stop-shop using a software platform we have), title due diligence and liaises with our Finance team regarding financial due diligence

 

·  Provides input and reviews of hotel project approval presentation papers for consideration by IHG’s approval committees

 

·  Supervises more junior members of the team on hotel development related matters

 

·  As part of continuous improvement, identifies processes and templates which need improvement to help deliver our 2X ambition

 

·  Identifies areas where our business partners require Legal training; prepares and delivers such training

 

·  Travel (limited) and meetings with our Development team as necessary, including time spent in IHG’s other offices throughout EMEAA

 

·  Working with other ’Operations Lawyers’ in the BRR team, provide legal support and advice to European Operations teams located in our corporate offices, on day-to-day operational issues including regulatory and compliance issues, contract variations, payments and other owner-related issues

 

·  As required, support the debt recovery process for terminated or cancelled hotel projects

 

·  Assisting with, as required, the managing of legal disputes initiated by or against IHG, gathering and reviewing of factual data, supervising and coordinating with outside counsel, determining litigation efforts required and seeking and negotiating out of court settlements where possible aligned with corporate ethics and company objectives

 

·  Provide legal support on asset management aspects relating to IHG leased hotels

 

·  Proactively keep abreast of relevant statutory legislation and regulatory requirements in jurisdictions where IHG is doing business

 

What we are looking for

Although previous hotels / franchise experience is desirable, it is not essential as we are predominantly looking for a junior solicitor who enjoys autonomy, responsibility and collaboration.

 

Previous experience of contract drafting and deal negotiation is necessary from any legal discipline.

 

You should be driven, proactive, ready to engage with your primarily internal business partners and show a keen interest in the hospitality sector.

 

·  Qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales or another jurisdiction whether through the traditional training contract route in private practice, or otherwise (e.g. qualification through equivalent means)

 

·  Thorough knowledge of contract law essential; corporate, intellectual property, company and commercial laws an asset

 

·  Experience in commercial negotiations required. Knowledge relating to litigation and experience of alternative dispute resolution would be an asset

 

·  Strong drafting skills. Strong organization and working coordination skills to handle multiple assignments and projects

 

·  Good PC skills including software packages (Microsoft, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

 

·  Thrives in a dynamic, transaction driven environment

 

·  Excellent administration and organization skills

 

·  Fluent in English (additional language skills an asset)

 

·  Excellent interpersonal skills, management ability (to be developed)

 

What we offer

We believe that we’ve got where we are today because of our people, so we want to reward you for your hard work and dedication.

 

You will be based in our picturesque Denham based Global Head Office, located just a short drive from the A40 and easily accessible from Central London. Not only this, IHG can offer a strong benefits package alongside your salary; including worldwide hotel discounts, attractive and flexible working hours and a subsidised restaurant & Starbucks.

 

As an equal opportunity employer, IHG is committed to providing a working culture that values diversity and inclusion and is committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a barrier-free recruitment process.

 

Closing date for all applications is Friday 1st November 2019.

Make every future a success.
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