Role overview
Our client is a major Saudi-based developer with one of the most significant hospitality pipelines in the Kingdom, encompassing a large number of hotel transactions with leading international brands across a long-term mixed-use masterplan. They are seeking a Hospitality Lawyer to join their in-house legal team in Riyadh and support the growing volume of hotel and leisure-related legal work. This role is open exclusively to Saudi Nationals.
Key responsibilities
- Draft, review and negotiate hotel management agreements, franchise agreements and branded residence documentation across a portfolio of transactions with major international operators
- Advise on the legal aspects of hospitality development including operator selection, pre-opening arrangements and operational handover
- Support joint venture and investment structures relating to hospitality and leisure assets
- Conduct due diligence on hotel operators, brand partners and associated land and development arrangements
- Advise on Saudi licensing, tourism regulations and compliance requirements relevant to hospitality operations
- Work closely with the Real Estate and Construction legal teams to provide integrated legal support across the project
- Liaise with external counsel on specialist hospitality matters and manage legal spend effectively
Candidate profile
- A Saudi National with a law degree from a recognised institution
- Qualified with 5+ years' post-qualification experience, with meaningful exposure to hospitality, real estate or corporate transactional work
- Experienced in or familiar with hotel management agreements and the commercial dynamics of owner-operator relationships
- Bringing a blend of private practice and in-house experience, or strong in-house experience within a developer, operator or hospitality group
- Commercially aware with a genuine interest in the hospitality sector and the confidence to engage directly with international brand partners
- A strong communicator, comfortable working in a fast-paced development environment alongside senior colleagues
- Fluent in Arabic and English
- About Meyssa Legal
- Meyssa Legal specialises in placing high-calibre legal professionals across the UAE and the wider Middle East. We offer discreet, strategic career advice and long-term relationship support.
- All applications are treated with strict confidence.
About Meyssa Legal
Meyssa Legal places lawyers across private practice and in-house roles in the UAE, with deep experience in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We work consultatively with leading firms, in-house teams, and senior counsel across banking and finance, disputes, corporate, regulatory, and TMT.
Our approach prioritises judgment over targets and discretion over volume. We brief every role in confidence, submit only candidates we genuinely believe fit, and treat every conversation as the start of a long-term relationship.
