Senior Legal Manager

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY:

The Senior Manager - Legal is a manager role reporting to the Head of Legal (or Senior Legal Counsel). The candidate is an experienced inhouse legal practitioner who provides highlevel legal support across key areas of the business. Reporting to the Head of Legal, the role is responsible for delivering practical, commercial, and riskbalanced legal advice to support Sanad's strategic priorities. A key role will be to provide legal support to the GTF project through the implementation phase, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective execution, governance, and compliance.

In addition, the candidate will work across Sanad's core functions as required, including assisting with the development of legal documentation and template suites for engine leasing and engine component trading activities, reviewing contracts, leading negotiations with suppliers and customers, mitigating business risk and mentoring junior team members.

This role requires a highly motivated legal professional with a proven track record in commercial contracting, experience in corporate governance and a strong grasp of the aviation industry. We are looking for a seasoned practitioner with strong judgement, the ability to operate autonomously, a strategic mindset, and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Contracts and Governance (70% of time):

• Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize a broad range of commercial contracts, including overhaul/MRO services contracts, lending and financing agreements, project documents, partnership agreements, collaboration agreements, joint venture agreements, sale and purchase agreements, leasing agreements, service agreements, supply agreements, non-disclosure agreements, memoranda of understanding, etc.
• Identify, assess and mitigate key risks to the company's business areas.
• Coordinate with relevant internal stakeholders to understand contract requirements.
• Resolve legal matters related to contracts and agreement disputes, handling routine issues independently and escalating more complex issues as appropriate.
• Ensure clear communication with internal stakeholders to avoid any misunderstanding or misinterpretation of contracts.

2.General Legal Advisory: (20% of time)

• Act as a key legal advisor to internal stakeholders, providing guidance on legal implications, risks, and strategies related to trading and leasing activities
• Work closely with management teams to align legal advice with business objectives and contribute to the organization's growth with a focus on managed risk and regulatory compliance.
• Contribute to maintaining good governance practices in alignment with the company's Delegation of Authority.

3.Other Duties as Required (10% of time)

• Assist in Ethics and Compliance-related matters, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and corporate governance principles.
• Support with corporate governance, company secretarial matters and other tasks as needed

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

Minimum Qualifications:

(Education/Certification/

Licensure/Professional Membership)

• Bachelor's Degree in Law (LLB or equivalent) from a recognized university.
• Qualified to practice law in an established legal jurisdiction, with preference for the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, or Canada.

Minimum Experience:

• 810 years of post-qualification experience (PQE) in commercial legal practice, with strong exposure to contract drafting and negotiation.
• Specific experience in the aviation sector, preferably within:
• aviation asset management,
• engine leasing, and/or
• MRO operations.
• Proven experience in drafting and negotiating aviation-specific agreements, including:
• engine and engine component sale and purchase agreements,
• engine leasing agreements,
• engine service and overhaul agreements.
• Experience providing direct legal support to business functions, particularly leasing operations and finance, within an asset management environment.
• Prior exposure to the UAE or regional legal environment is desirable, with understanding of regulatory considerations applicable to aviation, MRO, and asset management.
• Demonstrated capability to supervise and guide junior legal colleagues, ensuring quality, consistency, and risk-aware legal advice.

Job Specific Competencies:

1.Contract Management

Demonstrates advanced capability in structuring, interpreting, and negotiating complex commercial and aviation-related contracts. Operates with a high degree of autonomy, ensuring contractual outcomes are legally robust, commercially balanced, and aligned with strategic and risk considerations.

2.Industry Knowledge (Aviation & Asset Management)

Possesses deep working knowledge of the aviation and asset management environment, including engine leasing, trading, and MRO operations. Applies this knowledge to anticipate legal and commercial implications across the asset lifecycle and to advise effectively in industry-specific contexts.

3.Risk, Compliance & Governance

Exhibits strong proficiency in identifying and evaluating legal, contractual, regulatory, and governance risks, and in applying appropriate controls and mitigations. Ensures decisions and advice consistently align with legal obligations, ethical standards, internal governance frameworks, and Delegation of Authority requirements.

4.Commercial Judgment

Applies seasoned legal judgment to balance legal risk with commercial opportunity. Demonstrates the ability to make sound, pragmatic recommendations in complex or ambiguous situations, supporting timely and informed business decision-making.

5.Stakeholder Management

Demonstrates the ability to engage, influence, and advise a broad range of stakeholders at different levels of the organization. Communicates complex legal matters clearly and effectively, enabling stakeholders to understand implications and make informed decisions.

6.Negotiation & Dispute Resolution

Displays advanced negotiation skills in complex commercial contexts, achieving outcomes that protect the organization's interests while supporting sustainable business relationships. Applies structured problem-solving to resolve contractual issues and disputes, escalating material risks with sound judgment.

7.Documentation & Standardization

Shows strong capability in developing and applying standardized legal documentation and frameworks. Uses experience and judgment to improve consistency, efficiency, and risk management across recurring commercial and operational transactions.

8.Team Leadership

Demonstrates effective people leadership capability through guidance, oversight, and development of junior legal professionals. Sets quality expectations, provides constructive feedback, and supports capability building within the legal function.