Senior Legal Counsel

Company Overview

Our client, a diversified multinational holding company, is seeking a commercially focused Senior Legal Counsel to join its Dubai-based Group Legal function. The role will support the Group Legal Director in managing legal matters across multiple international jurisdictions, including the UAE, UK, USA, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and other global markets.

This is a hands-on role requiring ownership of corporate governance, shareholder matters, international commercial contracting, cross-border transactions, and legal operations.

Reporting to Group Legal Director

Key Responsibilitie

sCorporate Governance & Shareholder Matters (30%

• )Draft, review, and manage shareholder agreements, subscription agreements, and other corporate documentation
• .Support share issuances, transfers, buybacks, capital restructurings, and shareholder exit transactions
• .Coordinate board meetings, shareholder approvals, board resolutions, and governance documentation across multiple jurisdictions
• .Manage corporate secretarial requirements for subsidiaries in collaboration with external advisors
• .Support mergers, acquisitions, investments, and cross-border corporate transactions
• .Ensure compliance with governance requirements across international group entities

.Commercial Contracts & International Agreements (35%

• )Draft, negotiate, and review a broad range of international commercial agreements
• .Manage distributor, reseller, vendor, consultancy, technology, and service provider contracts
• .Prepare and maintain inter-company agreements, including
• :Management Services Agreement
• sCost-Sharing Agreement
• sIntellectual Property Licensing Agreement
• sEmployee Secondment Agreement
• sCross-Border Service Agreement
• sProvide legal guidance during contract negotiations and advise on commercial risk
• .Identify contractual risks and recommend practical mitigation strategies

.Legal Operations & External Counsel Management (20%

• )Act as the primary liaison with external law firms across multiple jurisdictions
• .Coordinate legal advice and manage cross-border legal matters efficiently
• .Monitor legal budgets and optimize external legal spend
• .Develop and maintain legal templates, contract repositories, documentation standards, approval workflows, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• .Support the implementation of legal technology solutions and contract lifecycle management systems

.Legal Advisory & Risk Management (15%

• )Advise business leaders on legal, commercial, and regulatory risks
• .Review liability provisions, indemnities, insurance matters, and dispute-related issues
• .Support governance, compliance initiatives, and policy implementation across the Group
• .Assist with dispute management and pre-litigation strategy in coordination with external counsel

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Requiremen

ts
Educat

• ionBachelor's Degree in Law (LLB) or equivalent legal qualificati
• on.Admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction is preferr
• ed.Postgraduate legal qualifications (LLM or equivalent) are advantageo

us.Experie

• nce8–12+ years of post-qualification experience (PQE) in corporate and commercial l
• aw.Experience as Senior In-House Counsel within a multinational organization or with a leading UAE law fi
• rm.Strong exposure to international legal matters and cross-border transactio
• ns.Experience supporting multinational holding company structures and corporate governan
• ce.Proven expertise in shareholder matters, corporate restructuring, commercial contracting, and M&A suppo
• rt.Experience managing external legal counsel and legal budge
• ts.Strong knowledge of UAE legal practice, including DIFC and UAE mainland corporate structur
• es.Ability to operate independently within a lean, high-growth business environme

nt.
Package - AED 24000 - AED 30000/m