Overview: We are seeking an experienced Group General Counsel to join a dynamic multinational
conglomerate with diverse interests across various sectors. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in providing legal expertise across commercial transactions, real estate, corporate investments, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and coordinating with external international law firms. Additionally, the General Counsel will be responsible for overseeing secretarial duties related to the corporate structure of the group. The natural evolution of this role is to join the Board within a few years.
Key Divisions:
- Real Estate Private Equity and Investment Management Europe, North America, Middle East
- Datacentres Development and Investment management Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia
- Deep Tech A.I Platform for Energy Management in Real Estate
- Intelligent Beauty, Tech backed luxury beauty salon Chain
- Longevity Science, Clinics, Labs and Supplements Manufacturing and distribution
- Food & Beverage Large scale Coffee shop chain
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide legal advice and support on a variety of commercial and corporate matters, including
- contracts, agreements, and compliance.
- Negotiate and draft commercial contracts, real estate transactions, investment agreements, and
- other legal documents.
- Structuring and Execution of Private Equity Transactions and vehicles (Cayman, Luxembourg, GP/LP structures)
- Manage M&A processes, conducting due diligence and coordinating with relevant stakeholders.
- Work closely with external legal counsel to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Coordinate and oversee secretarial duties, including maintenance of the group corporate structure
- comprising 30-40 companies or holdings.
- Ensure timely filings with regulatory bodies and manage board meeting preparations, including
- agendas and minutes.
- Monitor legal developments relevant to the group and advise on potential impacts.
- Collaborate with internal teams to align legal strategies with business objectives.
- Foster a culture of compliance within the organization by providing training and guidance on legal issues.
Skills Profile:
- Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent degree in law with admission to practice in at least one jurisdiction.
- Minimum of 58 years of relevant legal experience in both Common Law and Civil Law
- environments, preferably within a multinational corporate setting.
- Strong knowledge of commercial law, real estate law, corporate governance, and M&A.
- Extensive experience in GP/LP private equity structuring across multiple jurisdictions (UAE
- mainland/DIFC, Delaware, Cayman, Luxembourg, UK, Switzerland, Singapore), including fund
- formation and governance (LLC/LP/Exempted Limited Partnership/SCSp/LLP/VCC/Unit Trust),
- LPA/PPM and side letters, carried interest/waterfalls, co-investments, secondaries, continuation
- vehicles, AIVs/feedermaster structures, and regulatory/tax interfaces (DIFC/DFSA, ADGM/FSRA,
- SEC, CIMA, CSSF, FCA, FINMA, MAS). Skilled in substance/economic presence requirements,
- AML/KYC compliance, marketing/NPPR, and investor due diligence.
- Intellectual property and patents expertise across UAE/DIFC, UK/EU, US, Switzerland, and
- Singapore, covering filing and prosecution coordination, portfolio strategy, assignments/licensing
- (inbound/outbound), FTO analysis, open-source governance, brand protection across
- GCC/Europe/US/Asia, and dispute/infringement management, including DIFC/IPT and cross-border
- enforcement.
- Management services experience for retail companies, including MSAs/SLAs, franchise, distribution, and agency agreements compliant with UAE Commercial Agencies Law, GCC competition/consumer rules, UK/EU vertical regulations, US/Delaware contract constructs, and Swiss/Singapore law considerations.
- Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in German, French, and Arabic is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Excellent negotiation, drafting, and communication skills, with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities and keen attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team-oriented environment.
- Proven experience in managing corporate secretarial functions
