Legal Counsellor

Strategic Legal Advisory

• Act as the principal legal advisor to the CEO and senior leadership on all legal matters, with a focus on commercial, corporate, employment, and regulatory frameworks across UAE, Oman and KSA.
• Support business growth and regional expansion by structuring legally compliant models, reviewing cross-border risks, and identifying regulatory considerations early in the decision-making process.
• Interpret complex legal developments and provide timely, solution-oriented guidance to internal stakeholders.

Corporate & Commercial Governance

• Draft, negotiate, and manage a wide range of commercial contracts including vendor and supplier agreements, real estate leases, consultancy arrangements, licensing, service-level agreements, NDAs, and MOUs.
• Oversee corporate documentation and governance for all legal entities, including company formations, renewals, shareholder resolutions, and board actions.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory and licensing requirements in the UAE, KSA, and relevant free zone jurisdictions.

Employment Law & Internal Policy Compliance

• Serve as the legal advisor on employment-related matters including contracts, handbooks, disciplinary actions, restructures, and terminations.
• Ensure adherence to local labour laws (UAE, Oman, KSA Labour Law), advising HR on lawful, defensible employment practices.
• Review and develop internal policies and protocols to ensure alignment with legal obligations and risk management standards.

Regulatory Engagement & Risk Mitigation

• Proactively identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks across jurisdictions, with robust documentation and issue tracking.
• Lead regulatory interactions with ministries, free zone authorities, and other government entities, maintaining strong institutional relationships.
• Respond to audits, inspections, and investigations by external authorities with accuracy, diligence, and preparedness.

Litigation, Disputes & External Counsel Management

• Manage all litigation and dispute resolution matters in conjunction with external counsel; represent the company s position with clarity and integrity.
• Monitor legal spend, manage budgets related to legal engagements, and ensure value-based service delivery from external providers.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as directed by the line manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor s degree in Law from a recognised institution; Master of Laws (LLM) preferred.
• Fully qualified lawyer with a minimum of 8 10 years post-qualification experience, including demonstrable in-house legal exposure.
• Licensed or admitted in a recognised jurisdiction (UAE, Oman, KSA exposure essential).

Skills, Attributes and Experience

• Deep working knowledge of corporate, commercial, employment, and regulatory law across UAE, Oman and KSA.
• Proven track record of managing legal affairs independently within a dynamic, multi-jurisdictional business environment.
• Fluency in both Arabic and English (spoken and written) is a mandatory requirement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable advice for business stakeholders.
• Skilled in preparing legal opinions, briefings, and reports for internal decision-makers and external authorities.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across departments, including HR, Finance, Operations, and senior leadership, to support strategic and operational decisions.
• Confident in managing relationships with regulators, external counsel, and government bodies.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads, meet deadlines, and manage legal documentation efficiently.
• Proficient in the use of legal research databases, contract management systems, and Microsoft Office tools to support workflow, reporting, and compliance tracking.

Competencies

• Leadership: Strong management skills with a proven ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong customer service orientation.
• Organizational Skills: Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Technology Proficiency: Proficient in CRM systems and reporting tools for managing data and workflows.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with school leadership and other departments to implement initiatives.
• Language Skills: Arabic language skills are highly desirable.

Professional Attributes

• Cultural Sensitivity: Culturally aware with the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse teams with empathy and respect.
• Results-Oriented: Driven by results, delivering high-quality outcomes within set timeframes.
• Approachable & Supportive: Approachable and trustworthy, offering support to staff at all levels.
• Adaptability: Adaptable and solution-focused in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.