Legal Manager (Real Estate) – Al Futtaim Group Legal

Job description / Role

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Group's continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.We are currently looking to recruit a Legal Manager for the Real Estate division to join our Group Legal Department based in Dubai Festival City.

Reporting to theGeneral Manager of Group Legal, the Legal Manager will act as an internal counsel and deal directly with the various businesses of Al Futtaim Group.

This role involves responsibilities such as:

* Negotiate, draft, review and advise upon, all required legal documentation in relation to real estate matters, including leases (commercial, residential and retail),facilities management agreements, property management agreements, development agreements, assignment agreements, settlement agreements, confidentiality agreements, hotel management agreements, MOUs, LOIs, and all other related and ancillary documents.
* Provide legal consultation, advice and support to companies across the Group in respect of both existing and prospective matters, and to identify, contain and manage exposure and contingent risk.
* Ensure proper compliance by Group companies with all property laws and regulations including, but not limited to, Dubai Landlord and Tenant Law, and the Strata Law. The Legal Manager (with input from local and external legal counsel) will also need to be familiar with applicable laws in respect of Group property related businesses operating in the region and beyond.
* Provide advice in respect of more general commercial matters (including intellectual property, agency, distributorship, franchising, and finance issues) as well as advising on the management and conduct of various contentious matters. To also provide advice, as and when required, on construction related matters.

Requirements

To apply for this role you should have the following skills, experiences and qualifications:

* Be a law qualified lawyer with a Degree in Law and qualification and admission as a lawyer/attorney/solicitor/barrister from home country
* At least 3 years of post qualification experience
* Experience within the real-estate industry
* Previous experience within an in-house legal role is preferable but not essential
* Middle- East experience is preferred
* Previous experience working for a diverse group or a variety of companies
* Fluent in both written and spoken English
* UAE experience would be an advantage
* Arabic language competence, though not essential, would be an advantage

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.