In-house Counsel

This is a sole contributor role that will oversee all legal matters of the company, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, managing legal risks, drafting and reviewing contracts, and providing strategic legal advice to senior management. This role requires strong business acumen, excellent negotiation and communication skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally across departments.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, commercially focused legal advice to senior management and internal departments.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable UAE laws, including Central Bank, ADGM, DIFC, and data protection regulations.
• Advise on the regulatory implications of new products, partnerships, and business initiatives.
• Develop and update platform agreements and liaise with law firms in different geographies.
• Monitor legal developments in fintech, financial services, and data privacy, assessing their impact on the business.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, vendor agreements, partnership arrangements, and technology licences.
• Support internal teams (e.g. Product, Sales, Operations) in structuring and negotiating commercial terms.
• Develop and maintain standard legal templates and ensure consistency across all agreements.
• Identify and manage potential legal and regulatory risks across all business areas.
• Establish frameworks and policies for legal compliance and risk mitigation.
• Manage relationships with external counsel and coordinate external legal support when required.
• Support the Board and senior leadership on governance, corporate structure, and company secretarial matters.
• Prepare and maintain board minutes, resolutions, and regulatory filings in line with UAE and free zone requirements.
• Advise on shareholder agreements, fundraising activities, and investment documentation.
• Provide legal guidance on employment law, disciplinary procedures, and policy compliance in line with UAE Labour Law.
• Draft and review employment contracts, consultancy agreements, and HR-related policies.
• Act as a point of contact for external regulators, auditors, and law firms.
• Manage legal submissions, licence renewals, and regulatory communications as necessary.
• Support the company during legal audits, investigations, or disputes.
• Manage external firms, coordinating all correspondence, payments and legal drafts.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5+ years qualified lawyer (UAE, UK, USA or other common law jurisdiction).
• Preference for post-qualification experience at an international law firm, ideally with fintech, financial services, or technology sector experience.
• In-depth understanding of UAE regulatory frameworks (including CBUAE, ADGM, DIFC, and data protection laws).
• Strong experience in commercial contracts, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, multicultural team environment.
• Capable of working autonomously when needed.
• Cross-functional collaboration.
• Analytical ability.

Fluency in spoken Arabic is a plus.