An interesting opportunity has arisen to work for a large diversified investment group in Dubai. Our client operates within an extensive range of business areas including Real Estate, Construction, Contracting, Distribution, Retail and more. For this senior position, the General Counsel is particularly interested in Senior Counsels who are ‘out of the box’ and abstract thinkers, as well as career driven and ambitious as there is the opportunity to progress further within the Group long term.

Responsibilities will include:

• Provide legal advice on the formulation of business policies to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and mitigation of legal risks
• Monitor the legal and regulatory environment, including changes to laws & regulations that may affect operations of the Group or any part of it and proactively advise the Chief Legal Officer, relevant BU Heads/ Managers, in order to take the appropriate actions
• Participate in contract negotiations with Principals, Suppliers and Legal Counsel of other parties with a view to secure business interest, ensure the favourable risk allocation and safeguard the business from any known or unaccounted contractual risks
• Provide counsel and advice on legal matters pertaining to franchise/ concession agreements, leases, construction/consultancy contracts, commercial contracts, purchase agreements, licensing agreements, insurance, property matters, company law, labour law etc. to ensure that management receives the required legal advice
• Identify outside legal counsel, negotiate contracts with along with co-counsel for litigation and legal representation, liaise with outside legal counsel to obtain external advice on legal issues, review quality, facilitate pre-trial work and manage risks associated with external legal representation, follow up on payments to legal counsels to ensure that the company receives the appropriate assistance from external legal counsels for litigation and legal advice
• Coordinate with concerned departments and other parties in evaluation of potential litigation; develop recommendations for appropriate proceedings including prosecution, dismissal or settlement of such litigations, based upon Group‘s policy
• Investigate legal claims and complaints by or against the company, conduct interviews, prepare reports and/or opinions based on findings to ensure that top management is made aware of all aspects of the legal claims and complaints and the associated risk
• Assist in the formation of new businesses under the Group and ensure that these new businesses and the processes in general are in line with regulatory requirements
• Oversee final terms and conditions for all key contracts between the Group and other parties and provide to Chief Legal Officer for final approval
• Participate in Management meetings as required and offer legal opinion on any discussed issue; advise Heads of Department and Key Management on all legal matters pertaining to their responsibilities, potential liabilities, exposures and any matters necessary for making informed decisions within their capacities in line with Group operations
• Participate in the drafting, negotiating and finalization of contracts between the organization and its vendors, consultants, contractors and customers (master developers, building owners, and individual tenants)
• Identify areas of potential risk / exposure and ensure that safety clauses are built into the contract to protect the organization‘s interests
• Review final contract document to ensure that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing the contract
• Participate in the strategy formulation exercise to ensure due awareness of legal considerations that may impact the business
• Monitor Group legal framework, including policies and processes to safeguard interest of the Group; ensure implementation thereof across Corporate and Business UnitsParticipate, as and when required, in the development of the legal policies and procedures framework, to enhance the effectiveness of the Legal Counsel Function, in line with legislative requirements and the Group‘s strategy and direction
• Work closely with the GC in setting, establishing and ensuring adherence to processes, policies and procedures to meet compliance, legal and regulatory requirements as required by the various governing regulatory bodies
• Report compliance issues to the GC. Ensuring compliance activity takes account of all relevant legislation and related activities
• Ensuring adherence to all compliance obligations set both externally (through legislation, regulation or industry guidelines) and with related internal policy and procedures