Legal Counsel

Designation: Legal Counsel

Location: Dubai (onsite)

Reporting To: Managing Director Location: Dubai, UAE

Team: 10 + people

Role

Purpose Operate as the Group's legal architectadvising the MD and executive team on legal strategy, compliance and commercial risk. Lead a high-performance legal function that proactively supports the Group's ambition to scale, acquire and innovate across real estate, contracting and construction domains in the GCC and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Legal Governance: Design and implement a group-wide legal framework aligned with regional growth strategy, real estate portfolio and contract delivery model.

Cross-Border & M&A Transactions: Lead legal due diligence, structuring and negotiation for JV projects, investment deals, asset acquisitions and consortium contracts.

Contractual Leadership: Oversee drafting and negotiation of commercial contractsconstruction, procurement, engineering services, land acquisitions, lease agreementswith built-in scalability and risk mitigation. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure full compliance with UAE authorities including DIFC, ADGM, DMCC regulations, as well as Oman and Indian legal regimes; maintain license integrity and Good Conduct certifications.

Corporate Governance & Ethics: Drive standards across Board governance, anti-bribery, anti-corruption and ESG policiesadopting best-in-class practices inspired by Mamta Sundara's leadership at listed conglomerates.

Dispute Resolution: Oversee litigation, arbitration and dispute management strategiesaligned with cost-efficiency and outcome optimization.

Group-wide Legal Enablement: Develop legal training, policy updates and a knowledge-sharing culture among BD, procurement, PMO and commercial teams.

Advisory to Leadership & Board: Function as a trusted advisor to MD, CXOs and Board on legal business opportunities, compliance and risk management.

Expectations

Serve as a strategic business enabler, seamlessly integrating legal insight into commercial growth and project delivery.

Proactively identify and mitigate enterprise-level risk across jurisdictions and joint ventures.

Lead the development of a high-performing legal team, embedded in real estate, construction and contracting workflows.

Foster a culture of compliance, ethical integrity and legal excellencebringing inclusive leadership and clarity of purpose

Qualifications & Experience

Mandatory: LLB (LLM or equivalent preferred); licensed to practice in the UAE with Certificate of Good Conduct (DLA/ADJD/MOJ).

15+ years PQE in corporate, commercial and real estate/construction law within multi-entity or conglomerate settings.

Preferred Exposure:

GCC experience across major jurisdictions (UAE, Australia, US, Oman) and cross-border M&A exposure.

Board-level or advisory experience in listed/private sector, with strong understanding of corporate governance

Proven capability in managing legal integrity programs (compliance, ESG, risk, governance frameworks).