Legal Counsel

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. 

Position Statement: 

In-house Counsel position within the Legal Department supporting and working with the Marketing, Loyalty and Brands business functions, focusing primarily on regional activities in EMEA.  Will also support activities for APAC, as well as enterprise and global matters, working with business functions and lawyers in the US corporate headquarters.  

Position Summary:

An integrated, Global role, this in-house Counsel position within the Legal Department would support the Marketing, Loyalty and Brands business functions.   The role will focus primarily on regional activities (EMEA), with US-based intersections and have the ability for growth within the APAC region as well.  This candidate will collaborate with and align with the global team, working with business functions and lawyers in the US corporate headquarters.  You will support and work closely with the Senior Vice-President & Assistant General Counsel at Hilton’s corporate headquarters in McLean Virginia, USA.  The role will help ensure a global legal approach and will serve as the hub between HQ/US enterprise functions and regional offices. 

What will I be doing?    You will work directly with the EMEA Marketing, Loyalty and Brands and Legal teams, attending meetings and integrating into the business to learn and advise on effective business strategy and tactics.    Advising the APAC teams, when required.    You will also work within the Marketing, Loyalty and Brands Legal team in the US, collaborating on legal risks, developing training materials, and developing knowledge of the regulatory and legal environment.    You will be the expert on regional marketing laws and risks.        The role provides international exposure.  While you will report to the Hilton Legal team in London, you will also  be part of the US Marketing, Loyalty and Brands functional legal team.      As part of the marketing creative process, you will review content and provide guidelines to our marketers to avoid risk and comply with various regional regulations.      Drafting all levels of contracts—from simple NDA’s to complex multi-national partnerships.      You will lead and take ownership of:

o    Review of marketing content (social media, emails, etc..), including T&C’s and compliance with regulations.

o    Drafting regional co-marketing partnership agreements.

o    Working with regional Brands teams and the US Brand operations team on brand standards and other Brands support.

o    Assisting the Brands and Marketing teams in the launch and integration of new brands in the Regions.

o    Establishing a process with local business teams for the quick and efficient review of legal issues.    

Direct Reports: n/a.

Key Business Partnerships: Marketing, Loyalty and Brands business functions in EMEA, APAC and US.  Requirements

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), including associates and partners.    Ability to exercise independent judgement, 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.    Establish and maintain productive working relationships with key internal and external partners.    Experience negotiating contracts.    Experience of working in a large organisation with the ability to co-ordinate with different offices and functions.    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.    Basic grounding and understanding of 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.

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

Required Qualifications    Equivalent work experience of at least 5 years 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%

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

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    Franchising experience

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 nearly 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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Source: Hospitality Online