JobPurpose
The Legal Counsel is the hospitality vertical’s legal partner to the business, providing commercially grounded advice that supports growth, protects Modon’s assets and ensures agreements reflect the brand and operating standards.
Qualification:
- Qualified lawyer with 4–6 years’ post-qualification experience in private practice, in-house, or both.
Experience:
- Hands-on drafting and negotiation of hotel management, franchise and brand licence agreements
- Strong corporate and commercial foundation, including transactional and real estate experience
- Fluency in English and Arabic; French and civil law experience preferred
- UAE or Middle East experience advantageous, including cross-border matters
- Experience coordinating with local and international external counsel
Competencies:
- Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills
- Commercial awareness, attention to detail, and professional integrity
- Collaborative, with discretion and confidence working with business teams
- Ability to manage competing priorities and judge when to escalate
Roles, Responsibilities, Duties
The Manager Legal provides practical, commercially focused legal support across the hospitality vertical’s existing portfolio, new developments and international expansion. The role protects Modon’s interests as an asset owner, investor and operator, and works closely with investment, finance, development, procurement, asset management, operations and HR teams. The Legal Counsel manages assigned matters with appropriate autonomy, escalates material risks, and coordinates external counsel across relevant jurisdictions. This is the second legal headcount within the hospitality team.
Hospitality & Brand Agreements
- Draft, review and negotiate hotel management, franchise, operating, technical services and brand licensing agreements
- Prepare pre-opening, shared services, systems and distribution agreements, with related side letters, novations and non-disturbance arrangements
- Support branded residences and other hospitality partnerships
- Advise on owner and operator rights, fees, brand standards, performance tests, capex, insurance, renewal and termination
- Support operator transitions and owner approvals throughout development and operations
- Support pre-opening and development matters with the development and technical teams
Corporate, Transactions & Real Estate
- Support incorporations, restructurings, intercompany arrangements, constitutional documents and shareholder agreements
- Support acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and investments, including legal due diligence and transaction documents
- Review leases, usufruct arrangements, development and construction contracts, and asset transfer documentation
Commercial Contracts & Intellectual Property
- Draft and negotiate tenders, procurement, FF&E and OS&E supply, professional services, outsourcing, F&B concessions, IT and SaaS contracts
- Advise on trademarks, brand and content licences, and software IP, coordinating registrations with specialist counsel
- Support data protection, guest data, confidentiality and cybersecurity terms in contracts
Disputes, Compliance & Risk
- Assess contractual disputes, claims and incidents, and manage pre-litigation and arbitration with external counsel
- Prepare notices and settlement documentation, preserve evidence, and track contractual deadlines
- Support licensing, regulatory, anti-bribery, sanctions and employment compliance reviews
Legal Processes & Stakeholder Support
- Develop templates, playbooks and policies, and support contract management and obligation tracking
- Coordinate external counsel’s scope, fees and budgets, and maintain matter records and reporting
Modon Service DNA Essentials
The Legal Counsel embodies the Modon Hospitality Service DNA through:
• Defy the Ordinary – Find creative, practical solutions that protect and grow the portfolio.
• Lead the Way – Own matters end to end, with precision and clear judgment.
• Serve Passion – Give business teams responsive, authentic and practical advice.
• Celebrate BIG – Recognize team achievements, foster unity, and give back to the community.
