Senior Legal Counsel

Profile Snapshot Title: Senior Legal Counsel Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Position Type: Full Time Reporting To: Group General Counsel & Company Secretary Department: Legal Overview: The Senior Legal Counsel provides senior-level, practical and commercially focused legal support across Agthia Group and its subsidiaries, as assigned. The role independently manages complex legal matters within the assigned scope, protects Agthia’s interests by identifying and managing legal risk, supports compliance with applicable laws and internal policies, and provides timely advice on contracts, disputes, regulatory matters and other legal issues. The role also supports end-to-end contract governance and Board and committee governance matters, including the preparation, coordination and maintenance of accurate corporate records and approvals, under the direction of the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary. How Will You Make An Impact? Contract Management: • Lead the review, negotiation and drafting of a variety of legal documents, including contracts, agreements, policies, and procedures, to ensure the organization's legal interests are protected. • Work with the concerned stakeholders in negotiation of legal terms with the external partners. • Manage and oversee the end-to-end contract lifecycle, including intake, drafting, negotiation, review, approval, execution, renewal, amendment, expiry, termination, and archiving. • Ensure contracts follow approved templates, the Delegation of Authority, internal approval requirements, and applicable legal and governance standards. • Maintain contract records and trackers, monitor key obligations, renewal and expiry dates, and support timely escalation of contractual risks. • Partner with business stakeholders to ensure complete instructions, commercial inputs, and supporting documents are provided before Legal review. Legal Advice, Regulatory Support and Dispute Management: • Provide senior-level legal advice and support to the relevant business and corporate functions (under the guidance of the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary) on a wide range of legal matters, including employment law, intellectual property, litigation, and regulatory compliance. • Conduct legal research and analyse legal issues as required and provide actionable insights to Business and Functional Leadership and Group General Counsel & Company Secretary as needed. • Manage and support the resolution of disputes, including through mediation and litigation. • Advise the relevant business and corporate functions on compliance with local and international laws and regulations by conducting risk assessments and developing compliance policies and procedures. • Be the POC (Point of Contact) for coordination with external legal counsel (Under the guidance of the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary). Board and Corporate Governance • Support the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary on Board and Board committee governance matters, taking ownership of assigned governance workstreams. • Coordinate Board and committee meeting calendars, agendas, papers, resolutions, approvals, and action trackers in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. • Draft and review minutes, written resolutions, governance memoranda, and other corporate secretarial documents, ensuring they are accurate, concise, and appropriately maintained. • Maintain statutory and corporate records, including registers, constitutional documents, delegated authorities, and records of Board and shareholder approvals. • Support compliance with applicable companies, securities, listing, disclosure, and corporate governance requirements, and coordinate required filings and submissions. • Follow up on Board and committee decisions and action items, while preserving clear accountability with the relevant business owners. Others • Respond to claims (Post alignment with Group General Counsel & Company Secretary and the relevant business leader). • Undertake special projects (as needed) under the direction of the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary and, where applicable, the relevant business leader. • Maintain confidentiality, privilege, and appropriate information-handling standards in all legal and governance matters. • Use approved legal systems, templates, trackers, and records-management processes, and provide clear status reporting when required. • Respond to claims (Post alignment with Group General Counsel & Company Secretary and the relevant business leader). • Undertake special projects (as needed) under the direction of the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary and, where applicable, the relevant business leader. Qualifications, Experience & Skills • Bachelor’s degree in Law. A postgraduate legal qualification or relevant professional certification is an advantage. • At least 7 years of relevant legal experience in private practice and/or an in-house legal function, including experience handling complex commercial contracts and advising senior stakeholders. Middle East experience, preferably in the UAE, is required. • Advanced commercial contract drafting and negotiation capability; strong knowledge of contract lifecycle management and approval governance; working knowledge of corporate, commercial, regulatory, dispute, Board and committee governance, and corporate secretarial matters; strong legal analysis, judgment, stakeholder management and communication skills; ability to manage complex matters with appropriate independence; fluency in English and Arabic is a must. Grow with Agthia – For the Better Agthia Group is one of the region’s leading Food & Beverage companies, with a growing international footprint. We are a publicly listed company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and part of ADQ, one of region’s largest holding companies. Rooted in Abu Dhabi since 1978, we've grown into a global presence, operating in countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan. We’ve built a diverse portfolio of over 35 market-leading brands across Water & Food, Snacking, Protein & Frozen, and Agri-Business – touching the lives of millions of consumers in more than 65 global markets. With sustainability at the core of our innovations, we’ve pioneered several world-first products, setting new benchmarks in industry and meeting the evolving needs of communities worldwide. Over 12,000 people from more than 67 nationalities are at the heart of shaping our purpose driven future, supported by an agile environment which encourages collaboration, creativity, and the freedom to make a real difference. With a competitive benefits package, genuine opportunities to advance, and a focus on continuous learning and development, we’re committed to supporting your growth as we work together to deliver excellence “For the Better.” Join us and be part of a team that's not just shaping the future of food and beverage but also making a meaningful impact on the world. T