This role is based at our corporate office in McLean, VA
This is your chance to be part of an in-house Legal team at a top global hospitality company! As Senior Manager & Counsel, Development, you will provide legal support to our development teams as they grow our hotel and branded residential portfolio throughout the Americas region with a focus on the United States and Canada. On the Legal Development team, you will report to the Vice President & Senior Counsel, Development-Americas. Your responsibilities will include providing legal advice in hotel management agreements and branded residential projects. Additionally, you will be involved in contract management, owner relations, negotiating and drafting related documentation, and managing outside counsel.
What you'll do during a typical day:
- Review, draft, and negotiate a variety of agreements relating to system hotels and residential projects, with a focus on management agreements with hotel owners, license agreements with residential project owners, and finance-related agreements with lenders of such projects.
- Support Hilton's relationships and transactional dealings with owners of system hotels throughout the lifecycle of the contractual relationship, including negotiating contract amendments and resolving issues.
- Provide practical risk analysis and strategic legal counsel to business partners on a variety of hospitality-related subject matters.
How you'll collaborate with others:
- Partner with, and train, several of Hilton's business teams, including Development, Operations, Brands and Finance, to protect Hilton's commercial interests and strategically grow its network.
- Collaborate with others in the Legal Department, and outside counsel, to create optimal, risk-balanced approaches to solving problems and achieving business objectives.
Projects you'll take ownership of:
- Hotel and branded residential management agreements and related amendments
- SNDAs
- Condominium Marketing License Agreements
- F&B service and consultancy agreements
You have these minimum qualifications:
- Three (3) or more years of relevant legal work experience in Hospitality, Commercial Real Estate, or similar transactional work, including first-chair experience leading transactional negotiations.
- You are admitted to practice law, active and in good standing with the Virginia State Bar, or with another state bar and registered, or be eligible to register, as in-house counsel with Virginia State Bar.
- Experience interacting with business partners and developing trust.
- Demonstrated experience in legal document drafting with a focus on detailed accuracy.
- Understanding of legal concepts and experience to relay concepts to business partners and other Legal team members.
- Available for occasional business travel (1 to 4 times per year).
It would be useful if you have:
- Experience in the hospitality industry.
- Experience with hotel management agreements.
- Experience in real estate financing transactions.
How We'll Help You Thrive
At Hilton, the hospitality we're known for doesn't end with our guests. We proudly invest in our Team Members' wellbeing, supporting you through all of life's moments. When you join Hilton, our exceptional care extends to you with unmatched perks and benefits, including*:
- Incredible travel perks – Enjoy 110 nights of deeply discounted travel, with room rates as low as $40/night at our world-class hotels through our Go Hilton travel program
- Own a piece of Hilton – Through our employee stock purchase program (ESPP), you can invest in Hilton shares at a 15% discount to help build your financial future
- Paid parental leave – Because family matters. We offer paid leave for eligible Team Members, including partners and adoptive parents
- Personalized caregiving support – Access dedicated caregiving concierge services to help navigate caregiving for yourself and your loved ones
- Crisis concierge – In times of loss, our Crisis Concierge offers a single, compassionate point of contact for both practical support and emotional care
- Mental health resources – Your wellbeing comes first. Eligible Team Members can access free counseling and support through our best-in-class Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Generous paid time off (PTO) – Recharge, relax, and take time for what matters most
- Health & welfare benefits – From checkups to dental cleanings to new glasses, we offer a variety of health plans that keep you and your family covered
- Financial security for your future – Our retirement plans make it easier to save for what's next
*Benefits availability may vary depending on Team Member's location as well as terms and conditions of employment and are subject to the terms and conditions of each specific program/plan.
Hilton offers its eligible team members a comprehensive benefits package to support their mental and physical well-being, so they can Thrive personally and professionally. The pay range for this role is $120,000 – $175,000 and is determined based on applicable and specialized experience and location. Subject to plan terms and conditions, you will be eligible to participate in the Hilton Annual Incentive (Bonus) Plan, consistent with other team members at the same level and/or position within the Company.
About UsSkills Required
- Three or more years of relevant legal experience in hospitality, commercial real estate, or similar transactional work
- First-chair experience leading transactional negotiations
- Admission to practice law and active good standing with the Virginia State Bar, or admission to another state bar with Virginia in-house counsel registration or eligibility
- Experience interacting with business partners and developing trust
- Demonstrated legal document drafting experience with detailed accuracy
- Understanding of legal concepts and ability to communicate them to business partners and Legal team members
- Availability for occasional business travel one to four times per year
- Hospitality industry experience
- Experience with hotel management agreements
- Experience in real estate financing transactions
Hilton Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are described as strong, with an employer match that fully covers initial contributions and continues matching additional amounts. This structure is consistently presented as a standout element of the package.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is highlighted for all new parents, with additional time for birthing parents. Adoption assistance and broader family supports are also part of the offering.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Travel discounts through Go Hilton, mental‑health resources, and programs like sabbaticals or reset time are emphasized as distinctive perks. Learning opportunities and other lifestyle supports further enhance the package.
Hilton Insights
What We Do
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,300 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms, in 123 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For list and been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for six consecutive years. Hilton has introduced several industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 165 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
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