Legal Counsel / Contract Manager

About the role

CNS, a technology company founded in 1987 with offices in three countries and a focus on the Middle East market, is looking for a Legal Counsel / Contract Manager in Dubai. The role acts as legal and commercial advisor to the business, supporting its technology and IT services portfolio (system integration, managed services, cybersecurity, cloud, digital infrastructure, software and professional services). It covers the end-to-end contract lifecycle, from tender and negotiation through execution, delivery, variations, claims, renewals and termination, and advises senior management and business functions.

Key responsibilities

• Advise management and business functions on commercial, contractual, corporate and regulatory matters, including tenders, RFPs, bids and negotiations.
• Review liability, indemnities, IP, confidentiality, data protection, warranties, termination and dispute resolution issues, and coordinate external counsel where needed.
• Manage the full contract lifecycle for key customer, vendor, partner and subcontractor agreements, and lead negotiations on MSA, SOW, SLA, NDA, framework and service agreements.
• Monitor contractual rights, obligations, milestones, payment terms, SLAs and penalties, and support teams on variations, claims, extensions and renewals.
• Support government and public-sector tenders and strategic technology engagements, and escalate significant risks to senior management.
• Help build contract management policies, templates and governance, and ensure compliance with UAE law and internal policies.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Law, Business Administration or a related field; a Master's or professional legal/contract management qualification is an advantage.
• 5-7 years in contracts or legal/commercial roles, with proven experience in system integration, IT services, telecommunications or managed services.
• Demonstrated experience with complex, high-value contracts and with claims, variations, disputes and SLAs.
• Good understanding of UAE commercial and contractual law; government and public-sector tender experience is highly desirable.
• Ability to work confidently with senior executives and across legal, procurement, sales and technical teams.

Required skills

• Expert legal drafting, contract negotiation and redlining.
• Proficiency in contracting lifecycle tools such as SAP Ariba, Coupa and DocuSign CLM.
• Strong negotiation, drafting, analytical, communication and stakeholder-management skills.