Legal Manager

Position: Legal Manager

Industry: Construction / Contracting

Location: Dubai, UAE

Salary: AED 27,000 – 30,000 per month + benefits as per UAE Law

JOB PURPOSE

We are seeking an experienced Legal Manager with a strong background in the UAE construction and contracting industry to oversee the company's legal affairs and provide comprehensive legal support across its operations.

The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of UAE laws and regulations , particularly those relevant to construction, commercial contracts, employment, disputes, and corporate matters. The role will involve advising management, reviewing and drafting contracts, managing legal documentation, coordinating with retained external lawyers, and ensuring the company's interests are adequately protected.

The candidate should also be proficient in Arabic and English legal translation and able to interpret and translate contracts, legal notices, correspondence, agreements, and other legal documentation accurately.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Legal Advisory & Management

• Provide timely and practical legal advice to management and various departments.
• Advise the company on legal risks associated with business operations, projects, contracts, and commercial transactions.
• Interpret and advise on applicable UAE laws, regulations, and government requirements .
• Identify potential legal risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Ensure company activities are conducted in accordance with applicable UAE legislation.

2. Construction & Contracting Legal Affairs

• Provide legal support on construction and contracting matters.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and advise on construction contracts, subcontractor agreements, supplier agreements, consultancy agreements, NDAs, MOUs, and other commercial agreements .
• Review contractual terms, liabilities, warranties, indemnities, penalties, payment provisions, termination clauses, and dispute-resolution mechanisms.
• Advise project and commercial teams on contractual obligations and potential exposures.
• Support the company in managing contractual claims, variations, delays, disputes, and other project-related legal matters.

3. Contract Review & Risk Management

• Review agreements before execution and highlight legal and commercial risks.
• Ensure contracts adequately protect the company's interests.
• Maintain a centralized record of contracts, legal correspondence, claims, notices, and other relevant documentation.
• Establish appropriate procedures for legal document review and approval.
• Monitor contractual obligations and key legal deadlines.

4. Coordination with External / Retained Lawyers

• Act as the primary point of contact between the company and its retained legal counsel and external lawyers .
• Brief external lawyers on ongoing disputes, claims, cases, and other legal matters.
• Review legal opinions, submissions, notices, and advice received from external counsel.
• Monitor the progress of court cases, arbitration, mediation, and other legal proceedings.
• Coordinate with external lawyers to ensure timely and effective resolution of legal matters.
• Maintain proper records of all ongoing and closed legal cases.

5. Litigation & Dispute Management

• Handle and coordinate the company's legal issues, disputes, claims, and potential litigation.
• Work closely with external counsel on court cases, arbitration, mediation, settlement negotiations, and dispute resolution .
• Review legal notices and prepare appropriate responses in coordination with retained lawyers.
• Assist management in evaluating the commercial and legal implications of disputes.
• Track litigation and dispute-related costs, deadlines, and developments.

6. Legal Translation & Documentation

• Provide accurate Arabic–English and English–Arabic legal translations of:
• Contracts and agreements
• Legal notices
• Government correspondence
• Court-related documents
• Commercial documentation
• Legal opinions and reports
• Tender and project documentation
• Ensure translations maintain the correct legal meaning, terminology, and context.
• Review translated legal documents for accuracy and consistency.

7. UAE Laws & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain strong working knowledge of relevant UAE laws and regulations affecting construction and business operations.
• Monitor significant changes in legislation and advise management on their potential impact.
• Support departments in maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Liaise with relevant government authorities and regulatory bodies when required.
• Ensure appropriate legal documentation is maintained for regulatory and compliance purposes.

8. Corporate & Commercial Matters

• Provide legal support on corporate and commercial transactions.
• Assist with company agreements, partnerships, commercial arrangements, and business-related documentation.
• Review powers of attorney, resolutions, undertakings, and other corporate documents.
• Support management on matters relating to corporate governance and legal compliance.

9. Internal Legal Support

• Work closely with HR, Finance, Procurement, Commercial, Projects, Operations, and Management on legal matters.
• Review employment-related legal issues and guide within the scope of UAE employment legislation.
• Assist procurement and commercial teams with contractual negotiations.
• Support project teams in addressing contractual and legal issues during project execution.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Law / Legal Studies from a recognized university.
• Additional legal qualifications or professional certifications will be an advantage.
• Strong construction/contracting industry experience is essential.
• Significant experience working with UAE-based companies and knowledge of the UAE legal and regulatory environment.
• Previous experience managing construction contracts, claims, disputes, and commercial agreements is highly preferred.
• Experience coordinating with leading law firms and retained legal counsel.
• Immediate joiner or candidate available at short notice is strongly preferred.

KEY SKILLS

• Excellent knowledge of UAE laws and regulations.
• Strong construction and commercial contract knowledge.
• Excellent legal drafting and review skills.
• Strong litigation and dispute-management capabilities.
• Excellent Arabic–English and English–Arabic translation skills .
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and provide commercially practical legal advice.
• Ability to manage multiple legal matters simultaneously and work under pressure.

Immediate Joiners are strongly preferred.