Job Description

Marriott International, Inc., based in Bethesda, Maryland, is a worldwide operator, franchisor, and licensor of hotel, residential, timeshare, and other lodging properties under more than 30 brand names. Marriott’s Law Department services all aspects of the Company’s business and provides legal advice and counsel to Marriott’s internal clients.

The U.S./Canada Development Transactions team is responsible for representing Marriott in meeting its growth objectives and providing legal services in all phases of Marriott’s managed, franchised and owned hotel and residential development projects in the United States and Canada. The team partners with various Marriott corporate departments and disciplines to help Marriott achieve its business objectives by negotiating and drafting contracts with owners, buyers, sellers, and lenders for hotel and residential properties in the United States and Canada, fostering a collaborative environment that emphasizes strategic alignment and effective stakeholder engagement.

The work of the attorneys on the team principally takes the form of providing commercial transactional support (such as negotiating, drafting, and interpreting agreements) and providing legal guidance on a variety of matters, including real estate development, financing, franchising, condominium structures, residential licensing arrangements and related matters.

The Legal Counsel will report to a Vice President & Senior Counsel in the United States and Canada Development and M&A practice group of the Law Department.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience

Successful candidates should possess experience, knowledge, and skills as follows:

Required

• Excellent academic record with a law degree preferably from a top law school

• Active bar membership in good standing

• Minimum of 5 years legal experience

Preferred

• Transactional experience

• Familiarity with real estate acquisition and financing techniques and practices

• Experience working in or with hospitality, lodging, or branded residential sectors

Skills

• Proven contract drafting and negotiating skills

• Ability to expeditiously identify and analyze issues and provide legally sound recommendations consistent with good business practices and reason

• Ability to work under stressful conditions with owners, lenders, and internal stakeholders

• Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to interact effectively and work diplomatically with individuals at all levels

• Comfort working across business disciplines, including finance, development, and asset management

• Ability to foster relationships and individual accountability across the organization

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Excellent conflict management skills, and ability to influence

• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and to facilitate the implementation of creative solutions

• Ability to work independently, take ownership of, and effectively resolve problems

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

The Legal Counsel in this position will focus primarily on representing Marriott with respect to Development transactions in the United States and Canada by providing transactional legal support, including:

• Providing advice on proposed transactions with respect to confidentiality agreements, structuring of the transaction, letters of intent, trade area restrictions, and legal due diligence

• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating hotel franchise and management agreements, tri-party lender agreements, guaranties, financing documents, and other contracts related to Marriott’s hotels and branded residences

• Providing day-to-day legal advice and training to various areas within Marriott regarding legal issues related to Marriott’s Development transactions

• Providing support and assistance for specific projects, such as acquisitions and multi-unit deals as part of a broader team.

At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates.  We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.

All positions offer a 401(k) plan, stock purchase plan, discounts at Marriott properties, commuter benefits, employee assistance plan, and childcare discounts. Benefits are subject to terms and conditions, which may include rules regarding eligibility, enrollment, waiting period, contribution, benefit limits, election changes, benefit exclusions, and others. Click here to learn more.

Full-time positions also offer coverage for medical, dental, vision, health care flexible spending account, dependent care flexible spending account, life insurance, disability insurance, accident insurance, adoption expense reimbursements, paid parental leave and educational assistance.
Washington Applicants Only Employees will accrue paid sick leave, 0.077 PTO balance for every hour worked and be eligible to receive a minimum of 9 holidays annually.

Marriott HQ is committed to a hybrid work environment that enables associates to Be connected. Headquarters-based positions are considered hybrid, for candidates within a commuting distance to Bethesda, MD; candidates outside of commuting distance to Bethesda, MD will be considered for Remote positions.