Director Legal Counsel

Key Accountabilities JOB DESCRIPTION • 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. 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Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB); Master’s degree (LLM) preferred. 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 matters.

Investigations: Assess internal investigations relating to fraud, misconduct, and compliance violations; identify gaps in information and provide guidance; oversee incident response protocols; conduct legal risk assessments and provide management with mitigation recommendations. Disputes, Litigation & Legal Advisory: Lead and manage litigation/arbitration matters across civil, criminal, commercial, employment, and other proceedings; manage external counsel; provide strategic legal advice and risk assessment; review submissions to UAE courts; deliver advisory support on dispute resolution, risk mitigation, and compliance; monitor UAE regulatory developments; prepare internal reports for varying audiences; coordinate with Finance for provisioning. Corporate & M&A Transactions: Lead legal aspects of strategic corporate projects including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and restructuring; draft and review key corporate documents; coordinate due diligence and manage legal workstreams; manage external counsel relationships. Financing & Commercial matters: Advise on corporate financing transactions; review financing agreements and security documents; coordinate with external counsel on financing transactions. Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure alignment with corporate governance and internal compliance frameworks under UAE law; review and update corporate policies; collaborate with Compliance & Risk, Security, Internal Audit and others to strengthen controls and support legal matters.