Senior Legal Counsel – Commercial

Job description / Role

We are representing a large, fast-growing regional group with diversified operations across real estate, investments, and commercial ventures. The organisation is known for its dynamic environment and expanding footprint across the GCC.

The Senior Legal Counsel (Commercial) will play a strategic and operational role in supporting business units on a wide range of commercial transactions and corporate projects. The position offers significant exposure to cross-functional work within a sophisticated in-house legal environment.

Responsibilities include:
1. Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements, joint ventures, procurement, supply, and service contracts.
2. Advising management on commercial, corporate governance, and regulatory matters.
3. Managing external counsel and ensuring consistent, cost-effective legal support.
4. Supporting internal stakeholders on commercial operations, compliance, and contract risk.
5. Contributing to internal policy frameworks, templates, and process improvement initiatives.

1. Common law qualified (UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or South Africa).
2. Trained at a top-tier international law firm (Magic Circle, Silver Circle, or comparable).
3. Minimum 5 years PQE, with strong commercial and regional (GCC/MENA) experience.
4. Holding 1–2 years of in-house experience in a large commercial organisation or corporate group.
5. Commercially minded, pragmatic, and confident operating in a fast-paced environment.
6. Must be in the UAE
7. Ideally, can join within 1-2 months

Preferred exposure (advantageous but not essential):
1. Funds, finance (including Islamic/Sharia-compliant), or real estate transactions.

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Salary:
AED 50,000 to 60,000 per month inclusive of fixed allowances.

About the Company

MENA Recruit came to fruition in response to a growing need for international legal talent in London and Dubai. Its initial focus began in the Legal sector, evolving as a service provider for other sectors such as Administration, Marketing, Business Development, HR, IT, Finance and C-Suite positions.

Over the last two decades, with roots firmly planted in the Middle East and operations expanding into the APAC region, MENA Recruit has gained intuitive industry knowledge and expertise. With its unique, people-focused approach, the firm has yielded competitive advantage for its clients and rewarding careers for the professionals it has supported throughout the years.

The company is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of talent and service to its clients while working tenaciously towards helping them achieve higher retention rates. For this reason, MENA Recruit is considered by both candidates and clients as a consultant in the truest sense of the word, offering guidance to both people and organizations on how to adapt to the constant change in market conditions and how to anticipate present and future challenges.

Presently, MENA Recruit provides services to organizations and professionals in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

With such an extensive global reach, strong brand value, decades of expertise, and an innovative approach towards business challenges, it’s clear why MENA Recruit is the partner of choice for both in-house recruiters and candidates internationally.