Associate Director – Legal (Hospitality)

About the role

The Associate Director – Legal will provide strategic, commercially‑focused legal counsel to senior stakeholders across Dubai Holding Hospitality’s portfolio of luxury hotels, resorts, and F&B concepts. The role supports both day‑to‑day commercial activities and major real‑estate and hospitality transactions.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate and manage a wide range of commercial agreements, including hotel management, branded residences, F&B, leasing, licensing, development and procurement contracts.
• Advise on legal and regulatory matters affecting hospitality, tourism and real‑estate sectors, ensuring compliance with UAE federal and emirate‑level laws.
• Support acquisitions, developments, refurbishments and asset repositioning initiatives, providing legal due‑diligence and structuring advice.
• Develop and maintain standard legal templates, playbooks and risk‑management frameworks.
• Manage disputes, litigation, arbitration and intellectual‑property matters in coordination with internal teams and external counsel.
• Partner with business units to identify legal risks and deliver practical, business‑oriented solutions.
• Assist corporate‑governance activities and uphold Dubai Holding’s ethical and governance standards.

Required profile

• 5–7 years of post‑qualification experience, preferably in hospitality, real‑estate or related commercial sectors.
• Qualified law degree (LL.B, J.D. or equivalent) and admission to practice in a recognised jurisdiction.
• Strong track record of drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts.
• Good working knowledge of UAE federal and emirate laws relevant to hospitality, tourism and commercial transactions.
• Experience with real‑estate or hospitality transactions is an advantage.

Required skills

• Commercial contract drafting and negotiation.
• Legal risk assessment and mitigation.
• Dispute and litigation management.
• Stakeholder communication and negotiation.

What we offer

• Competitive compensation package.
• Career development and progression opportunities within a global hospitality group.
• Collaborative, multicultural work environment.