Legal Counsel

This role sits within a centralized legal team supporting a diversified group of companies across across manufacturing, healthcare, infrastructure, etc.

The role is hands-on and execution-focused, with a strong emphasis on complex drafting, transactional support, and legal risk management. Working closely with the Group General Counsel, the recruit will play a key role in supporting day-to-day legal matters while contributing to longer-term strategic and succession planning within the function.

Key Responsibilities

Transactional and Contractual Work

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial and corporate agreements including M&A documentation, financing arrangements, shareholders’ agreements, MOUs, NDAs, and international trade contracts.
• Support legal due diligence for acquisitions and investments across KSA, Kuwait, and the wider GCC.
• Draft under English common law frameworks, including DIFC and ADGM jurisdictions, with a strong risk-aware and commercial mindset.

Legal Governance and Risk

• Identify and advise on legal and contractual risks across the Group’s operating businesses.
• Support the development and maintenance of legal templates, policies, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with applicable UAE, DIFC, ADGM, and KSA regulatory requirements.

Stakeholder Advisory

• Act as a trusted legal advisor to internal stakeholders including Finance, HR, Audit, and senior management.
• Provide clear, practical legal advice that supports commercial decision-making.
• Draft and review formal correspondence with regulators, administrators, and counterparties.

External Counsel Management

• Manage and challenge top-tier international and regional law firms as required.
• Oversee quality, cost, and delivery of external legal advice across transactions and disputes.
• Liaise with regulators and authorities where required.

Team Support and Leadership

• Work within a small, high-performing legal team supporting Group-wide activities.
• Take ownership of core drafting and execution work, enabling the General Counsel to focus on strategic matters.
• Provide guidance and informal mentorship to junior team members, with scope to take on broader leadership responsibilities over time.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB); LLM or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred.
• Admission to the Bar or equivalent professional qualification strongly preferred.
• 5 to 10 years post-qualification experience, ideally combining private practice and in-house exposure.
• Strong experience in cross-border transactions, M&A, and financing work.
• Demonstrable experience with DIFC and ADGM or strong English common law drafting exposure.
• Prior experience supporting Investment groups, holding companies, manufacturing, industrial, real estate is advantageous.

Key Attributes

• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills with strong attention to detail.
• Commercially astute with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives.
• Confident communicator with the ability to engage senior stakeholders.
• Hands-on, adaptable, and comfortable operating in a lean environment.