Senior Legal Counsel – Luxury Hospitality & Investments

About the role

Kisawa, a multi‑award‑winning luxury hospitality brand, is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to act as the principal legal advisor to the group, its executive leadership, and the owning family. Based in the DIFC headquarters, the role sits at the intersection of hospitality, private investment, corporate governance, and international business.

Key responsibilities

• Advise on corporate structuring, hotel management agreements, brand and IP protection, real estate development, and cross‑border transactions.
• Draft, review, negotiate and manage commercial contracts such as HMAs, TSAs, licensing, service agreements, NDAs and partnership agreements.
• Oversee corporate governance frameworks, statutory compliance, banking mandates and corporate authorisations across multiple jurisdictions.
• Monitor regulatory compliance and manage disputes through negotiation, mediation and coordination of external counsel.
• Maintain corporate records, prepare board and shareholder resolutions, and act as director/officer of special purpose vehicles as required.
• Appoint, manage and coordinate external legal advisors to ensure cost‑effective support.
• Provide strategic legal advice to senior leadership and the family on investments, restructurings and growth initiatives.

Required profile

• Law degree with admission to at least one bar; advanced business qualifications are a plus.
• Minimum 7 years of legal experience in an international law firm or in‑house setting.
• Demonstrated expertise in commercial, corporate, hospitality and real‑estate law, including negotiation of complex management contracts.
• Experience supporting family offices or private investment groups is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical, drafting and stakeholder‑management abilities.
• Fluency in multiple languages and knowledge of DIFC, UAE and international corporate governance frameworks preferred.

Required skills

• Corporate law
• Commercial law
• Real‑estate law
• Cross‑border transactional expertise