Chief Legal Officer

The Chief Legal Officer (CLO) will serve as the principal legal advisor to the Board, CEO, and senior leadership of the company. The role ensures legal compliance across all business activities, manages risks, and provides strategic guidance on corporate governance, investments, hospitality operations, real estate, and cross-border transactions. The CLO will also oversee legal aspects of hotel management contracts, acquisitions, joint ventures, and international expansion.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal Strategy & Advisory

• Develop and implement the company’s legal strategy in alignment with business objectives.

• Advise the Board and Executive Management on legal implications of strategic decisions, mergers, acquisitions, and divestments.

• Provide expert counsel on hospitality, tourism, real estate, and investment laws across multiple

jurisdictions.

2. Corporate Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with local, regional, and international laws, including labor law, real estate,

corporate, hospitality, and investment regulations.

• Oversee corporate governance framework and ensure best practices in board and shareholder

relations.

• Draft, review, and approve board resolutions, shareholder agreements, and other governance

documents.

3. Contracts & Transactions

• Lead negotiations and drafting of hotel management agreements, franchise contracts, and operator agreements with global hotel brands.

• Oversee legal due diligence, contract structuring, and documentation for acquisitions, joint ventures, and real estate transactions.

• Mitigate risks in large-scale construction, leasing, and hospitality projects.

4. Risk Management & Dispute Resolution

• Identify potential legal and regulatory risks and implement preventive measures.

• Oversee litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution with external counsel as needed.

• Manage claims related to hospitality operations, labor disputes, and property issues.

5. Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and develop the legal and compliance team.

• Manage external legal advisors and ensure cost-effective legal support.

• Provide legal training to management and staff on compliance, contracts, and regulatory issues.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of hospitality, tourism, and real estate law (regional and international).

• Expertise in Hotel agreements, M&A, joint ventures, franchising, and cross-border investments.

• Excellent negotiation, drafting, and communication skills.

• Strong leadership and ability to influence at board and executive level.

• Commercial mindset with the ability to balance legal risk with business opportunity.

• Integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) required; Master’s degree or LLM preferred.

• Licensed to practice law in relevant jurisdiction(s).

• Minimum 15 years’ legal experience, with at least 7 years in a senior legal leadership role within

hospitality, tourism, real estate, or investment sectors.

• Proven experience managing international transactions, hotel operator agreements, and large-scale real estate deals.

• Prior GCC or international hospitality/tourism sector experience preferred.