Director Legal Counsel

Key Accountabilities:

• Investigations
• Assess internal investigations relating to fraud, misconduct, and compliance violations.
• Identify any gaps in information and providing guidance where needed.
• Oversee incident response protocols, ensuring timely and effective management of legal risks arising from operational incidents.
• Conduct legal risk assessments and provide recommendations to management on mitigation strategies
• Disputes, Litigation & Legal Advisory
• Lead and manage existing and potential litigation and arbitration matters, including civil, criminal, commercial, employment, and other contentious proceedings, as well as arbitration.
• Oversee the scoping, engagement and management of external counsel in litigation and arbitration matters, ensuring alignment with business objectives, effective cost control and sound strategy.
• Provide strategic legal advice and risk assessment in relation to litigation and arbitration matters, potential disputes, investigations, and enforcement actions.
• Review and validate submissions to UAE Courts/ judicial authorities.
• Deliver proactive and practical advisory support to business units on dispute resolution, risk mitigation, and legal compliance.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments in the UAE and advise on implications for the business.
• Develop reports and internal material as needed in relation to any potential and/or ongoing litigation and arbitration matters catered to differing audience and levels of seniority.
• Working with Finance as needed to ensure the correct provisioning is in place in relation to existing and potential litigation and arbitration matters.
• Preparing and overseeing all the material needed to be submitted to the UAE Accountability Authority
• Corporate & M&A Transactions
• Lead legal aspects of strategic corporate projects including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate restructuring.
• Draft, review and update company incorporation documents, resolutions, Memorandum/Articles of Association, share purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements, ancillary documents and any other related documents.
• Coordinate the legal due diligence processes, including managing and liaising with internal stakeholders, external counsel, and oversee legal workstreams to identify and mitigate transaction risks.
• Manage relationships with external legal advisors/counsel to ensure efficient delivery, quality control, and alignment with business objectives and budgets
• Financing & Commercial matters
• Advise on corporate financing transactions.
• Review and advise on financing agreements, security documents, and related arrangements.
• Instruct and coordinate with external counsel on financing transactions, ensuring alignment on structure, timelines, risk allocation and budget
• Compliance & Risk Management
• Ensure alignment with corporate governance standards and internal compliance frameworks in accordance with applicable UAE laws and regulations.
• Review the company’s corporate policies from a legal perspective to ensure compliance with applicable UAE laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with Compliance & Risk, Security teams, Internal Audit and other functions to strengthen controls and provide support on legal matters

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB); Master’s degree (LLM) preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 10–16 years’ experience in a leading law firm and/or in-house legal function with UAE specific experience.
• Strong experience in investigations, M&A and corporate transactions, and corporate finance.
• Preferably brings telecom and regulatory sector experience, including familiarity with UAE-specific frameworks.
• Exposure to data protection, cyber incident response, and governance frameworks is an added advantage.
• Experience in advising senior stakeholders on Chief level

Skills:

• Core Competencies & Leadership Capabilities
• Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent legal drafting, advisory, and negotiation capabilities.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professional judgment.
• Ability to manage complex, high-risk, and sensitive matters under pressure.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including engagement with regulators and external counsel.
• Proven leadership, team management, and capability development experience.
• Ability to operate within and enhance internal governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks

Key Success Factors:

• Effective management of high-profile litigation, arbitration, disputes and investigations with minimal legal and reputational exposure.
• Successful execution of strategic transactions, including M&A and financing initiatives.
• Proactive identification, escalation, and mitigation of legal risks.
• Effective delivery of internal reports and key updates.
• Strong knowledge of the UAE laws, regulations and frameworks.
• Strong experience in drafting and negotiating transactions/agreements.
• Ability to balance legal frameworks with commercial objectives and exercise a pragmatic approach to legal risk.
• Clear, confident communication with senior and non-legal stakeholders.
• Ability to operate independently, as well as cooperatively as part of a cohesive team.
• High attention to detail with a solution driven mindset.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Approachable and focused on building positive relationships within the business and legal team, and making a positive impact.