Legal Specialist

About us

IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the world’s leading hotel companies with around 350,000 colleagues working across more than 100 countries to deliver true hospitality for good. Our diverse portfolio of differentiated brands is well known and loved by millions of consumers around the world.

We genuinely care for our entire IHG Hotels & Resorts family. All our colleagues are valued, and their wellbeing matters to us. We provide the support our colleagues need to succeed and recognise them for their hard work. Our diverse global community values different perspectives and cultures.

Your day to day

This role will provide contract administration and compliance support to Europe’s hotel lifecycle. 

Under supervision of the Growth & Compliance Manager and Europe team lawyers:

• Prepare and issue new franchise licence, hotel management agreements, change of ownership and relicensing agreements to franchisees and managed hotel owners.
• Conduct all aspects of licensing execution, including but not limited to corporate due diligence, issuance of franchise disclosure and collection of fees.
• Receive and review all documents relating to all entities that have an equity interest in the license. Verify all licensing data such as dates, signatures, completion of forms, etc. Send and receive related licensing documents to internal contacts for various forms of approval (Finance, Risk Management, HPS, Investment Analysis) and follow up to ensure all documents are complete and correct. Enter all franchise license data into GOLS (Company Database), and continually update system with the status of licensing changes.
• Draft variations throughout term of franchise licenses and follow up for completion. Continually update GOLs database to reflect ongoing changes to the hotel/license data.
• Serve as contact for licensees or representatives of licensees for information relating to the execution of a license agreement. Facilitate smooth progression through the license agreement and/or revision process.
• Issue defaults, termination letters, and settlement agreements in connection with licensees not meeting system/license requirements. Monitor deadlines connected with the failures, defaults, terminations, and expirations and provide related information as needed. Update database to reflect accurate dates and records of defaults.
• Support managed and franchised hotels through the opening process. Ensure the owner is compliant with their agreement prior to the hotel opening in the system. Follow up with internal contacts for various forms of approval, if needed.
• Process accurate Principal Correspondent records and facilitate the appropriate process to update, as needed.
• Issue and execute all special agreements including impact letters, comfort letters, and ancillary agreements.
• Assist in developing or modifying procedures for contract administration as needed.

What we need from you

Educational Attainment

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Business or a related field of work, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience. Law degree not essential. 

Critical Expertise & Experience:  

• 1+ years work-related experience in franchise licensing, compliance, banking administration, contract administration, or similar, with demonstrated technical proficiency related to the position.
• Fluent written and spoken English language (additional languages a bonus)

 Technical Skills & Knowledge:

• Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other PC-based software programs.
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills for the purpose of conveying information to internal and external customers or providing information via written reports or correspondence.
• Demonstrated strong writing and reading comprehension skills for purposes of drafting, compiling, or interpreting legally binding license agreements and financial letters
• Demonstrated understanding of contractual agreements and demonstrated ability to administer ongoing contracts or similar detail-oriented projects.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, time management skills, and organizational skills.

What we offer you

At IHG we give our colleagues greater flexibility and balance – working in a hybrid way, blending remote and office working. Although we thrive on collaborating in person, we expect that you’re likely to spend time working remotely. Every role is different, and colleagues work with their team and their leader to determine how and when they collaborate in person. We like to believe we offer a unique culture where you have room to be yourself.

Alongside our great working environment, we’ll offer you a strong industry competitive package, including healthcare and incredible worldwide hotel discounts.

As an equal opportunity employer, IHG is committed to providing a working culture that values diversity equity and inclusion and is committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a barrier-free recruitment process and working environment.

Whilst this role may initially be based in our Denham head office location, by end of 2022 we will be relocating to our new Global Headquarters in central Windsor, so you will need to be able to travel to Windsor as required in the longer term.

Closing date for applications: 21/10/2022

#LI-CM1

#LI-HYBRID