Senior Legal Counsel – 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 an Senior Legal Counsel for the corporate commercial division to join our Group legal Department based in Dubai Festival City.
Reporting to the Director - Group Legal, this is a broad corporate/commercial role and your responsibilities will include the following:

* Providing legal advice and support to the trading divisions of the Al Futtaim group including Automotive, Retail, Electronics, Engineering and Technology divisions
* Drafting, negotiating and/or vetting commercial contracts relating to joint ventures, distributorships/franchises, leases, mergers and acquisitions
* Attending to corporate matters including incorporation of companies, restructuring, secretarial support for the meetings of Board of Directors and shareholders
* Arranging for the protection of intellectual property rights
* Outsourcing legal services and liaising with external counsels as may be necessary

Requirements

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

* Hold a good Professionally recognised Degree in Law specialising in Corporate/Civil and Commercial Law ideally
* Previous practice in a court of Law in the above specialised field is advantageous
* Sound knowledge of both National and International Law practices
* Ability to do Legal Research and Drafting
* 12-15 Years as an in-house Lawyer in a large and diversified commercial organisation dealing locally and internationally
* Fluent in both written and spoken English
* UAE experience is definitely 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.