Senior Counsel and Global Franchise Regulatory Leader
About The Position
The Senior Counsel & Global Franchise Regulatory Leader serves as a key legal leader responsible for overseeing Hilton's global franchise regulatory function, including the development, maintenance, and compliance of Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) and franchise registration requirements across multiple jurisdictions. This role leads a team of attorneys and paralegals and partners closely with Hilton's development, brands, and government affairs functions to support new market entries, brand launches, and complex regulatory matters. The position requires deep expertise in U.S. and international franchise law, strong project management capabilities, and the ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical business solutions in support of Hilton's global growth strategy.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- A proven record of achievement with a minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of experience in a large law firm or corporation's franchise, hospitality or real estate practice with exposure to hotel development issues, including serving as lead attorney in substantive transactions or negotiations
- Franchise regulatory law experience in the U.S. and international jurisdictions, including FDD preparation, filings and reports
- A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience
- A minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience
- Admission to a U.S. state bar and eligibility for in-house practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Willingness to travel periodically in the United States, and potentially to other parts of the world as the Company's needs require
- An aggressive self-starter, results and success oriented, with the ability to follow through on programs and plans
Nice To Haves
- A minimum of four (4) years of supervisory experience
- Franchised and managed hotel development experience
- Substantial direct interaction with senior attorneys and/or senior management
Responsibilities
- Lead the planning, development, and execution of Hilton's annual global FDD production and franchise registration processes across multiple jurisdictions and brands.
- Oversee the drafting, review, and approval of standard and bespoke FDDs, ensuring legal compliance, consistency, and alignment with business objectives.
- Manage and prioritize a high-volume pipeline of concurrent regulatory projects across global markets, including updates, renewals, and new country entries.
- Supervise, mentor, and allocate work across a team of attorneys and paralegals, ensuring efficient execution of deliverables and development of team capabilities.
- Provide real-time legal guidance to development and deal teams on disclosure requirements, exemptions, holding periods, and transaction structuring.
- Review and approve new disclosures arising from new programs, brand initiatives, or regulatory developments.
- Coordinate global filing, registration, and compliance processes with internal stakeholders and external counsel.
- Contribute to process improvement initiatives, including the development of automation tools and enhancements to the FDD production framework.
Benefits
- Incredible travel perks – Enjoy 110 nights of deeply discounted travel, with room rates as low as $40/night at our world-class hotels through our Go Hilton travel program
- Own a piece of Hilton – Through our employee stock purchase program (ESPP), you can invest in Hilton shares at a 15% discount to help build your financial future
- Paid parental leave – Because family matters. We offer paid leave for eligible Team Members, including partners and adoptive parents
- Personalized caregiving support – Access dedicated caregiving concierge services to help navigate caregiving for yourself and your loved ones
- Crisis concierge – In times of loss, our Crisis Concierge offers a single, compassionate point of contact for both practical support and emotional care
- Mental health resources – Your wellbeing comes first. Eligible Team Members can access free counseling and support through our best-in-class Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Generous paid time off (PTO) – Recharge, relax, and take time for what matters most
- Health & welfare benefits – From checkups to dental cleanings to new glasses, we offer a variety of health plans that keep you and your family covered
- Financial security for your future – Our retirement plans make it easier to save for what's next
- Hilton Annual Incentive (Bonus) Plan
- Company's long-term incentive plan
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
