KAYALI Global Corporate Counsel

Description

Who We Are

Fueled by passion, KAYALI was founded in 2018 by beauty mogul and fragrance fanatic, Mona Kattan. Translating to 'my imagination' in Arabic, KAYALI provides a modern fragrance experience inspired by Mona's rich Middle Eastern heritage and the art of layering scents to help you create your mood; where sharing scents is a ritual and smelling good is both an act of goodwill and self-love. Mona collaborates with some of the world's most renowned perfumers and sources the finest ingredients to create unique juices that are infinitely memorable, long-lasting, and cruelty free. Each luxurious fragrance is an ode to true craftsmanship and tells a special story, from the addictive notes to the multi faced jeweled bottles.

Our Mission

To make everyone feel like the diamond they are! To build a global community of fragrance lovers through the power of scent and by providing them with the most innovative & luxurious fragrances, education and sharing our Middle Eastern fragrance rituals with the world.

Summary

The Legal & Compliance (L & C) function at KAYALI plays a strategic role in enabling sustainable growth by embedding robust governance, statutory discipline, and risk management frameworks across the organisation. As the company continues to scale across the UAE and international markets, Legal & Compliance ensures that expansion, innovation, and commercial execution are underpinned by sound corporate structuring, statutory compliance, and strong internal controls.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Corporate

1. Lead management of all UAE mainland and free zone entities, as well as international subsidiaries, ensuring full compliance with applicable corporate laws and statutory obligations.
2. Undertake comprehensive legal due diligence in connection with new market entries, ensuring all corporate transactions are structured and executed in full compliance with applicable local law requirements.
3. Oversee licensing, renewals, statutory filings, Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) requirements, and coordination with relevant UAE authorities and international counterparts.
4. Manage corporate structuring initiatives including new entity formation, re domiciliations, cross border expansion, mergers, restructurings, and liquidations.
5. Maintain statutory records, board documentation, shareholder registers, resolutions, and governance documentation in line with UAE Companies Law and international best practice.
6. Support board governance processes, including preparation of board materials, resolutions, and corporate approvals.
7. Strengthen entity governance frameworks in line with shareholder agreements and group structure requirements.

Compliance & Risk Management

1. Develop and enhance enterprise wide compliance frameworks aligned with UAE statutory requirements and international standards.
2. Draft, implement, and monitor internal policies including Code of Conduct, Anti Bribery & Corruption, AML/KYC procedures, Delegation of Authority, Gifts, and related governance policies.
3. Ensure compliance with UAE economic substance requirements, UBO reporting, data protection obligations, and other statutory requirements.
4. Lead internal investigations and provide risk based legal guidance to leadership.
5. Prepare compliance reports and statutory submissions for auditors and shareholders.
6. Coordinate with charities, banks, auditors, authorities, and external counsel on compliance and governance matters.

Finance, ESG & Strategic Transactions

1. Act as legal partner to Finance on corporate, treasury, tax, audit, and financial governance matters.
2. Support financing transactions, review and negotiate related documentation, and advise on risk allocation.
3. Oversee ESOP governance documentation, cap table integrity, and shareholder record management.
4. Support implementation of sustainability and ESG reporting frameworks in alignment with evolving global standards.
5. Advise on governance aspects of strategic transactions, joint ventures, and cross border commercial arrangements.

Real Estate, Disputes & Knowledge Management

1. Oversee lease agreements, property documentation, and related risk management within the UAE and international markets.
2. Manage disputes, claims, and litigation strategy in collaboration with external counsel.
3. Develop and maintain legal templates, playbooks, and knowledge management systems to enhance efficiency and consistency.
4. Drive continuous improvement in legal operations and internal controls.

Requirements

1. Qualified lawyer with relevant post qualification experience in corporate law, governance and statutory compliance.
2. Good working knowledge of UAE Companies Law, free zone frameworks, UBO requirements, economic substance rules, and statutory reporting obligations.
3. Experience managing multi jurisdictional entity structures within a regional or multinational organisation.
4. Proven capability in building and implementing scalable compliance frameworks in high growth environments.
5. Experience partnering closely with Finance, Tax, Audit, and employees on governance and risk matters.
6. Familiarity with ESG and sustainability reporting standards.
7. Strong drafting, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with a pragmatic, solutions oriented approach and strong commercial acumen.
8. Demonstrated entrepreneurial mindset with the confidence and judgement to navigate grey areas and complex topics, balancing legal risk with business opportunity in a fast growing environment.
9. Ability to act with courage and kindness, embodying KAYALI's ownership mindset while fostering collaboration, accountability, and a positive, fun team culture across the organisation.