Description

Summary

The Opportunity

Position Overview: Hyatt is looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Corporate Counsel ("Counsel") to join its legal department. The Counsel will be a part of and report into the transactions team and support transactions for Hyatt-franchised and Hyatt-managed hotels in North America. The Counsel will work on deals both independently and with other lawyers and paralegals in the Legal Department, manage outside counsel, support diverse client groups within the Company, and interact with leaders at all levels of the Company, both in the Chicago headquarters and the field. The position is located at the Company's headquarters in downtown Chicago, Illinois, with a minimum requirement of 3 days per week in office.

Experience: The successful candidate will have 4-8+ years of experience in a law firm and/or an in-house legal department with experience in commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, real estate or finance. Experience with the hotel industry, hotel management agreements, and franchise agreements is preferred but not required.

Location/Relocation: Chicago, Illinois.

Who We Are

At Hyatt, we believe in the power of belonging and cultivating a culture of care where our colleagues become family. Since 1957, our colleagues and our guests have served as the heart of our business and made Hyatt one of the best hospitality brands in the world, with more than 1,500 hotel, all-inclusive, and wellness resort properties in 70 countries across six continents.

We turn trips into journeys, encounters into experiences and jobs into careers. As we continue to grow-we never lose sight of what's most important: People.

Why Now?

We are in a time of extraordinary transformation. Passion for personal travel combined with the explosive growth of global business has underpinned our growth for years. Hyatt is at the epicenter of the evolution of travel-and we are looking for passionate changemakers to be a part of our journey. At the heart of Hyatt is our shared belief that hospitality is more than just a job-it's a career for people that care.

How We Care for Our People

Wellbeing is the ultimate realization of our purpose - we care for people so they can be their best. We believe this focus on our colleagues is the key to our success and we've earned a place on Fortune's prestigious "100 Best Companies to Work For®" for the last nine years.

We're proud to offer exceptional corporate benefits which include:
• Annual allotment of free hotel stays at Hyatt hotels globally
• Flexible work schedule
• Work-life benefits including wellbeing initiatives such as a complimentary Headspace subscription, and a discount at the on-site fitness center
• A global family assistance policy with paid time off following the birth or adoption of a child as well as financial assistance for adoption
• Paid Time Off, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with company match

Who You Are

As our ideal candidate, you understand the power and purpose of our Culture of Care and embody our core values of Empathy, Inclusion, Integrity, Experimentation, Respect and Wellbeing. You enjoy working with a close fun team, are results driven, and want a variety of opportunities to develop personally and professionally.

The Role

Hyatt is looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Corporate Counsel ("Counsel") to join its legal department. The Counsel will be a part of and report into the transactions teams and support transactions for Hyatt-franchised and Hyatt-managed hotels in North America. The Counsel will work on deals both independently and with other lawyers and paralegals in the Legal Department, manage outside counsel, support diverse client groups within the Company, and interact with leaders at all levels of the Company, both in the Chicago headquarters and the field. The position is located at the Company's headquarters in downtown Chicago, Illinois, with a minimum requirement of 3 days per week in office.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include providing legal support to clients throughout the organization as well as colleagues within the Legal Department. This role involves interaction at all levels of the Company, both in the corporate headquarters and in the field.

This includes, but is not limited to:
• Advising on and handling a broad range of commercial matters relating to hotel ownership, franchise relationships, and hotel management structures, including structuring, drafting, and negotiating hotel management agreements, hotel franchise agreements, and related commercial arrangements.
• Supporting Hyatt's development and asset management teams in connection with new hotel deals, contract renewals, amendments, financings, restructurings, and portfolio transactions.
• Advising on owner/franchisee relationship matters, including contract renewals, terminations, amendments, and dispute avoidance/resolution.
• Structuring, negotiating, and conducting diligence in connection with acquisitions, dispositions, co-ownership and credit support structures, purchase and sale agreements, and other operative agreements for opening and operating hotels.
• Support the drafting, review, and maintenance of Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) in compliance with FTC Franchise Rule and applicable state laws, partnering cross-functionally with business teams to help ensure accurate and timely disclosures.
• Negotiating agreements and liaising across legal and other departments related to hotel transitions, including conversions between managed and franchised properties, openings, and exits.
• Effectively working with attorneys, paralegals, and outside counsel on matters, as necessary, to accomplish legal and business objectives.

Qualifications

Qualifications
• 4-8+ years of experience in a transactional practice in a law firm or an in-house legal department.
• Juris Doctorate degree and licensed to practice in a jurisdiction within the United States.
• Experience with hotel industry and/or hotel management agreements and franchise agreements is a clear advantage.
• Leadership acumen and a track record of demonstrating these skills.
• Demonstrated track record of accountability for outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
• Responsible and proactive self-starter, capable of simultaneously handling multiple, multi-faceted projects and competing deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively as part of cross-functional teams.
• High level of integrity and professional ethics.
• Superior intellect, with the ability to think critically and make clear and well-reasoned decisions; ability to see and handle more than the legal issues of a project; strong, pragmatic business acumen with the ability to recognize the business consequences of legal advice; a strategic and innovative thinker who can bring value to his or her clients, anticipate issues and find creative solutions to complex legal problems.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interface effectively and appropriately with individuals at all levels, both within and outside the Company.
• Enthusiasm, passion, and a down-to-earth attitude with a "roll up your sleeves" approach.

The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.

We welcome you:

Research shows that individuals tend to apply to jobs, only if they meet all the listed job qualifications. Unsure if you check every box, but feeling inspired to enhance your career? Apply. We'd love to consider your unique experiences and how you could make Hyatt even better.

The salary range for this position is $160,000 to $180,000. This position is also eligible to earn incentive awards, an annual bonus, monthly or quarterly incentives, etc.

The final pay rate/salary offered to the successful candidate will depend on experience, skill level, and other qualifications for the role, as well as the location of the performance of work. Pay for the successful candidate will meet local requirements, including the local minimum wage rate.

We value our relationships with recruitment partners and require that agencies contact us first before submitting any candidates. Hyatt will not be responsible for any fees and obligations associated with unsolicited submissions unless a formal agreement is in place.