About The Group

Our client is a privately held investment holding group with operating businesses and investment vehicles across the UAE, the UK and several other jurisdictions. The group holds a diversified portfolio of companies across different sectors and is growing through new acquisitions and further investment in its existing businesses. It currently operates under a mainland licence in the UAE. This is a rare opportunity to join at a formative stage, with direct access to the CEO and Board and the chance to shape the group's legal foundations.

The Role

The Head of Legal will be the group's most senior lawyer, reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Board. It is a hands-on role, from structuring through to completion, and the postholder will also set up the group's legal, risk and compliance function.

Transactions and Structuring

Lead acquisitions, disposals, mergers, joint ventures and restructurings across the group's UK, UAE and international holdings, covering structuring, due diligence, negotiation, documentation and post-completion matters
Advise on the right legal and ownership structure for new investments and reorganisations
Draft, review and negotiate shareholder agreements, financing documents, transaction agreements and the group's key commercial contracts

Risk, Compliance and Governance

Act as adviser on corporate, commercial and regulatory matters
Build a group compliance framework covering UAE mainland and free zone entities (including DIFC and ADGM where relevant), UK company law obligations and any sector regulation that applies to the businesses
Identify and manage legal and regulatory risk across the group and its different jurisdictions as and when required

External Counsel and Disputes

Select, instruct and manage law firms in each jurisdiction, keeping the quality of advice consistent and legal spend under control
Set the strategy on disputes and litigation, working with local counsel and seeing matters through to resolution

Building the Function

Introduce the templates, approval processes and standards the group needs, and recruit and develop the legal team as the portfolio grows

Requirements

Essential

Qualified as a solicitor or barrister in England & Wales, or in another common law jurisdiction
At least 15 years PQE in corporate and commercial law, with substantial M&A and cross-border investment experience
A track record of leading transactions from start to finish, not just supporting them
Working knowledge of UK and UAE law as it applies to M&A, corporate structuring and holding company governance, including the UAE mainland, free zone (DIFC, ADGM) and offshore regimes
Experience instructing law firms across several jurisdictions and managing a legal budget
Strong drafting and negotiation skills and fluent English
Sound judgement and discretion

Desirable

A previous role as General Counsel or Head of Legal in a holding company, family office, private equity platform or the investment arm of a bank
Experience of working in an owner-managed or majority-shareholder business
Post-acquisition integration experience

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package commensurate with seniority and experience, to be discussed with shortlisted candidates
Based in Dubai, with regular travel to the UK and other countries where the group operates
A broad mandate covering M&A, JVs, governance, compliance and commercial work across several sectors and jurisdictions
The chance to build the group's legal function largely from scratch

Head of Legal (Group General Counsel)