Legal Manager

About the role

ADSB is looking for a Legal Manager to provide comprehensive legal advice and support across its commercial, operational, transactional, regulatory and corporate activities. The role protects the company's legal and commercial interests, manages legal risks, supports effective governance and enables business objectives through practical, commercially focused legal solutions, under the guidance of the General Legal Counsel.

Key responsibilities

• Advise business units and corporate functions on commercial contracts, major transactions, projects and investments, and identify and mitigate contractual and legal risks
• Advise on UAE laws and regulations covering corporate, commercial, maritime, defense, employment, procurement and other areas
• Support corporate governance and entity management, including board and shareholder documentation, constitutional documents, powers of attorney and delegation of authority
• Manage litigation, arbitration and claims, and assess legal and commercial risks, escalating material matters to the General Legal Counsel
• Manage external legal counsel and other advisors, promote legal awareness and guide day-to-day legal issues
• Mentor junior legal professionals and improve legal templates, processes and guidance materials
• Ensure legal activities comply with laws, regulations, policies and professional standards, and support quality, HSE, environmental, security and operational compliance
• Review and recommend approval of contracts, legal documentation and external counsel engagements within delegated authority, and represent ADSB in legal and commercial discussions as authorized

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Law (LL.B. or equivalent); LL.M. preferred
• Professional legal qualification or admission to practice preferred; additional qualifications in corporate governance, contracts, compliance or commercial law advantageous
• Minimum 8-12 years of relevant legal experience
• Experience in both a law firm and an in-house corporate environment preferred
• Strong experience in corporate and commercial law, contract drafting and negotiation, and transactional support
• Experience in defense, maritime, shipbuilding, manufacturing, engineering, heavy industry or other regulated sectors highly preferred
• Experience advising senior management and managing relationships with internal stakeholders and external counsel
• Experience in corporate governance, entity management and litigation or dispute resolution
• UAE legal and regulatory experience strongly preferred

Required skills

• Corporate and commercial law, contract drafting and negotiation, deal execution
• UAE legal and regulatory knowledge, corporate governance and legal risk management
• Litigation and dispute resolution, legal research and analysis
• Arabic and English legal drafting, stakeholder and external counsel management, negotiation and strategic communication