Company Description
We are SGS the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 98,000 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded
Legal Manager for Middle East to support our operations across the region. This role plays a critical part in safeguarding the business while enabling operational and commercial growth in a highly regulated, risk-sensitive industry.
The successful candidate will partner closely with regional leadership, operations, and commercial teams to manage contractual, regulatory, and compliance risks across multiple jurisdictions.
Job Description
- Provide legal support for different business lines across the Middle East
- Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial contracts, including framework agreements, service contracts, tenders, and joint ventures
- Advise on regulatory compliance and industry-specific legal requirements
- Identify legal risks and propose mitigation strategies to protect business interests
- Support bid reviews and major project tenders, ensuring contractual risk mitigation
- Manage claims, disputes, and external counsel across jurisdictions
- Oversee legal aspects of subcontractor agreements, liability clauses, indemnities, and insurance provisions
- Ensure compliance with local labor laws, commercial regulations, and corporate governance standards
- Develop contract templates and legal guidelines aligned with group policies
- Conduct legal risk training for commercial and operational teams
- Liaise with government bodies, regulatory authorities, and external counsels
Qualifications
- Qualified lawyer with 15+ years of experience (in-house experience is a must preferably within services, industrial, engineering, energy, or TIC sectors)
- Strong background in commercial contracts, risk allocation, and regulatory compliance
- Experience working across multiple Middle East/GCC jurisdictions is mandatory
- Solid understanding of liability management in technical services environments
- Business-oriented, pragmatic, and solutions-driven
- High integrity, discretion, and ability to influence senior stakeholders
- Demonstrated leadership and team management experience
- Fluent in English. Arabic is an added value.
