CORPORATE COUNSEL TRANSACTIONS

The Opportunity

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 to the Transactions Group and be responsible for helping to lead and support Hyatt’s transactional activities. This attorney will manage outside counsel, work with other lawyers and paralegals in the Legal Department, support client groups within the Company, and interact at all levels of the Company, both in the headquarters and the field. You’ll be part of a team that is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is committed to nurturing curiosity and new skills.

Who We Are

At Hyatt, we believe in the power of belonging and creating a culture of care, where our colleagues become family. Since 1957, our colleagues and our guests have been at the heart of our business and helped Hyatt become one of the best and fastest-growing hospitality brands in the world. Our transformative growth and the addition of new hotels, brands, and business lines can open the door for exciting career and growth opportunities for our colleagues.

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

Why Now?

This is an exciting time to be at Hyatt. We are growing rapidly and are looking for passionate changemakers to be a part of our journey. The hospitality industry is resilient and continues to offer dynamic opportunities for upward mobility, and Hyatt is no exception.

How We Care for Our People

What sets us apart is our purpose—to care for people so they can be their best. Every business decision is made through the lens of our purpose, and it informs how we have and will continue to support each other as members of the Hyatt family. Our care for our colleagues is the key to our success. We’re proud to have earned a place on Fortune’s prestigious 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for the last ten years. This recognition is a testament to the tremendous way our Hyatt family continues to come together to care for one another, our commitment to a culture of inclusivity, empathy, and respect, and making sure everyone feels like they belong.

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 well-being. You enjoy working with others, are results-driven, and are looking for a variety of opportunities to develop personally and professionally.

The Role

Hyatt is looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Corporate Counsel to join its legal department. The Counsel will be a part of and report to the Transactions Group and be responsible for leading and supporting Hyatt’s transactional activities. This attorney will manage outside counsel, work with other lawyers and paralegals in the Legal Department, support client groups within the company, and interact at all levels of the company, both in the headquarters and the field. The position is located at the Company’s headquarters in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

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:

• Structuring and negotiating complex financing and equity transactions, including mezzanine loans, guaranties, preferred equity, and JV agreements.
• Structuring, negotiating, and conducting diligence in connection with hotel management agreements, acquisitions, dispositions, HMAs, co-ownership structures, purchase and sale agreements, general contractor and architect agreements, restrictive covenants, SNDAs, amendments, estoppels, DACAs, and other operative agreements for opening and operating hotels.
• Negotiating agreements and liaising across legal and other departments related to hotel transitions, including conversions from managed to franchise, hotel openings and hotel exits, diligence and documenting ownership restructurings.
• Workouts and restructurings of management agreements, financing and credit support arrangements, and ownership interests with respect to existing hotel properties.
• Advising on and handling wide-ranging issues relating to property ownership or leases, including easements, condominium declarations, listing and service agreements, and loan modifications.
• Effectively working with attorneys, paralegals, and outside counsel on matters, as necessary, to accomplish legal and business objectives.

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years of experience in a transactional practice in a law firm or an in-house legal department.
• Juris Doctorate and license to practice in a jurisdiction within the United States.
• Any experience or background in the hospitality industry is considered a clear advantage although not required.
• Experience with financings and JVs 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 salary range for this position is $145,000 to $175,000. 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.

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.

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.