Head of Legal

Job Title

Head of Legal

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Legal to lead and manage the legal function of the organization. The successful candidate will oversee all legal, regulatory, governance, and compliance matters, provide practical legal advice to senior management, manage legal risks, and ensure the organization operates in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The Head of Legal will also supervise the legal team, manage external counsel, and support the company's commercial objectives through sound legal and business judgment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Legal Department, ensuring the efficient delivery of high-quality legal services across the organization.
• Serve as the principal legal advisor to the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, and senior management on all legal and regulatory matters.
• Develop and implement the company's legal strategy in alignment with its business objectives and long-term growth plans.
• Provide legal advice on corporate, commercial, employment, real estate, construction, intellectual property, finance, regulatory, and dispute resolution matters.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and approve a wide range of commercial contracts, shareholder agreements, joint venture agreements, investment agreements, financing documents, and other legal instruments.
• Lead legal support for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, corporate restructurings, and strategic partnerships.
• Oversee all litigation, arbitration, mediation, and dispute resolution matters, working closely with external legal counsel where necessary.
• Manage intellectual property matters, including trademarks, patents, copyrights, industrial designs, licensing, technology transfer, and portfolio protection.
• Ensure the organization complies with all applicable laws, regulations, licensing requirements, and corporate governance standards.
• Identify legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate potential liabilities while supporting business growth.
• Develop and maintain company policies, legal procedures, governance frameworks, and compliance programs.
• Oversee legal due diligence for acquisitions, investments, financing transactions, and other strategic projects.
• Coordinate with government authorities, regulatory bodies, external law firms, and international legal advisors on legal and regulatory matters.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop the legal team, ensuring continuous professional development and high performance.
• Manage the selection, engagement, and performance of external counsel and legal service providers while controlling legal budgets.
• Support business development initiatives by providing legal input for new projects, partnerships, tenders, and commercial opportunities.
• Monitor developments in UAE and international laws and regulations, ensuring timely implementation of legal and regulatory changes.
• Promote a culture of ethics, integrity, compliance, and sound corporate governance throughout the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Law (LL.B.)
• Master's Degree (LL.M.) is preferred.
• Licensed to practice law in at least one jurisdiction.
• Membership in a recognized Bar Association or Law Society.

Experience

• Minimum 12–15 years of post-qualification legal experience.
• At least 5 years in a senior legal leadership or management role.
• Extensive experience in corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, governance, and contract negotiation.
• Experience advising executive management, boards of directors, multinational corporations, investors, and government entities is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent legal drafting, negotiation, and analytical abilities.
• Strategic thinking with strong commercial and business acumen.
• Exceptional commun