Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Accor is a world-leading hospitality group operating in more than 110 countries with over 40 hotel brands across luxury, premium, midscale, and economy segments. We are committed to delivering exceptional service and memorable experiences while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity. As Senior Legal Counsel, you will provide pragmatic, commercially focused legal support across hotel development and operations. Your primary responsibility will be negotiating and advising on franchise and hotel management agreements, alongside supporting a wide variety of commercial and operational matters. This role offers significant exposure to senior stakeholders and strategic projects across the UK, Ireland, and the Nordics within a fast-paced international environment.

Key responsibilities include leading the drafting, negotiation, and execution of franchise agreements, hotel management agreements, and related commercial contracts; advising on hotel development transactions and operational legal matters such as ownership changes, contract amendments, terminations, and disputes; supporting financing transactions, guarantees, joint ventures, and other strategic projects; ensuring compliance with franchise regulations, competition law, and other relevant legal requirements; managing external legal advisers; monitoring legislative developments; developing legal templates and playbooks to improve efficiency and reduce risk; delivering legal training to business stakeholders; and participating in regional legal projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

Experience
At least 6 years' post-qualification experience (PQE) or equivalent, gained within a leading law firm, an international in-house legal team, or a combination of both. Significant experience negotiating complex commercial agreements, ideally within hospitality, franchising, real estate, or development. Proven ability to support complex cross-border transactions and work across multiple jurisdictions.

About you
You are a confident legal professional with strong commercial awareness and the ability to provide practical, business-focused advice. You can influence and advise senior stakeholders while simplifying complex legal issues into clear guidance. You possess exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, and demonstrate a collaborative approach with excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. You are able to work independently, prioritise effectively, and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Fluency in English is essential.

Qualifications
A law degree or equivalent Legal Executive qualification with a current practising qualification where applicable.

Additional Experience Valued
Experience within the hospitality sector or franchise businesses. Experience advising on hotel management or franchise agreements. Previous in-house legal experience within an international organisation.

Benefits
Private Medical Insurance
Enhanced Pension
Extensive salary sacrifice schemes
Discounts and complimentary hotel stays