Senior Legal Counsel

IMI is a privately-owned, global media group headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with operations across 19 countries. Our portfolio includes renowned media brands such as Sky News Arabia as part of a joint venture with Sky UK, The National, Al-Ain News, CNN Business Arabic, and a minority stake in Euronews.

Additionally, through Redbird IMI, our joint venture with Redbird Capital Partners, we invest in leading media, sports, and entertainment brands worldwide. We bring the world closer by sharing stories that open minds, connect people, and enrich lives, empowering audiences with news, knowledge, and factual entertainment.

Role Summary:

The Senior Legal Counsel at IMI Group provides legal services across all areas of broadcasting and digital media business, and across various locations, divisions and subsidiary assets.

The ideal candidate should possess strong industry knowledge concerning the media industry and a depth of knowledge of laws and legal skills across areas such as digital distribution, publishing, broadcasting, commercial contracting, intellectual property rights, business compliance, data protection, defamation, privacy, labour law, corporate, litigation, AML, competition and M&A.

He/she will advise on the implementation of key legal processes such as legal drafting, negotiations, and contracts.

Duties will include providing mentorship and supporting the professional development of legal department personnel.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice on various legal issues throughout IMI such as commercial contracts, dispute resolution, regulatory, employment, policies and governance issues.
• Manage the drafting and negotiation of commercial agreements across IMI.
• Oversee the provision of legal services to support all of IMI business across general topics, local acquisitions and all commercial affairs.
• Oversee the implementation of legal guidelines and to ensure compliance with IMI’s ethics policies.
• Support head office and bureau team members through reading documentation and participating in the review of existing contracts.
• Provide advice with a view to minimising legal risk for IMI across its operations.
• Represent IMI in ensuring the efficient handling and resolution of negotiations and disputes.
• Efficient and effective delivery of contracts and transactional legal work.
• Research points of law and ensure that precedents and legal department templates are up to date.
• Responsibilities for board or committee secretarial duties, where necessary, including the management of board meetings, drafting of minutes and resolutions, compliance with relevant legislation, regulation and the articles of the company.
• Provide guidance/legal advice on drafting and reviewing internal policies and procedures across all departments.

Role Requirements:

• Understanding of the regional media sector and global industry trends.
• Knowledge of technology, delivery platforms and digital privacy is highly desirable.
• Understanding and enthusiasm for working with AI, legal technology resources and databases to deliver transparent, effective and efficient legal services.
• Knowledgeable of the regulatory framework in the UAE and wider region.
• Experience of commercial contract drafting and negotiation.
• Good understanding of copyright law and legal rights.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Critical and commercial thinker.
• Sound judgment and planning & organization skills.
• Independently minded, proactive, committed and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is essential.
• Bachelor's in law or equivalent essential.
• Experience and qualification as a lawyer in a recognised international jurisdiction.
• 7+ years post-qualification experience in a well-respected law firm or in-house legal team with exposure to relevant experience and a challenging workload.