Senior Manager Legal

About the Role

The Senior Manager - Legal will report directly to the Head of Legal (or Senior Legal Counsel) and serve as an experienced in-house legal expert providing high-level legal support across key business areas. This role is crucial in delivering practical, commercial, and risk-balanced legal advice aligned with Sanad's strategic priorities. A significant focus will be supporting the GTF project through its implementation phase, collaborating closely with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective execution, governance, and compliance. Additionally, the role encompasses supporting Sanad's core functions, including drafting and developing legal documentation related to engine leasing and engine component trading, contract review, leading negotiations with suppliers and customers, mitigating business risks, and mentoring junior legal team members. We seek a highly motivated legal professional with a proven record in commercial contracting, corporate governance experience, and a strong understanding of the aviation industry. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong judgment, autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to perform effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Your Responsibilities

• Contracts and Governance (70%): Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize a wide range of commercial contracts, including overhaul/MRO services, lending and financing agreements, project documents, partnership and joint venture agreements, sale and purchase agreements, leasing, service, supply agreements, NDAs, and MOUs. Identify and mitigate key business risks, coordinate with internal stakeholders to understand contract requirements, resolve contract disputes independently or escalate as needed, and maintain clear communication to prevent misunderstandings.
• General Legal Advisory (20%): Act as a trusted legal advisor to internal teams by providing guidance on legal risks and strategies related to trading and leasing activities. Collaborate closely with management to align legal advice with business goals, contributing to growth while managing risk and ensuring regulatory compliance. Support governance practices consistent with the company's Delegation of Authority.
• Other Duties (10%): Assist in ethics and compliance matters to uphold regulatory and corporate governance standards. Provide support with corporate governance and company secretarial tasks as required.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a Senior Manager - Legal with 8 to 10 years of post-qualification experience in commercial legal practice, particularly strong in contract drafting and negotiation. Experience in the aviation sector—especially in aviation asset management, engine leasing, and MRO operations—is essential. Proven expertise in drafting and negotiating aviation-specific agreements such as engine sale and purchase, leasing, and overhaul contracts is required. Candidates should have experience providing direct legal support to leasing and finance functions within asset management environments. Familiarity with the UAE or regional legal framework and regulatory considerations applicable to aviation and MRO is desirable.

Educational qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree in Law (LLB or equivalent) from a recognized university, with qualification to practice law in a reputable jurisdiction (preferably US, UK, New Zealand, Australia, or Canada).

The ideal candidate will possess advanced capabilities in contract management, deep knowledge of aviation and asset management, strong risk, compliance, and governance skills, and excellent commercial judgment. Exceptional stakeholder management, negotiation, and dispute resolution skills are essential, alongside the ability to develop standardized legal documentation. Leadership qualities to mentor and guide junior legal staff are highly valued. We seek a strategic, autonomous professional who communicates complex legal matters clearly, makes sound commercial decisions, and thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.