Group Legal Counsel

About the role

A Dubai-headquartered group combining property development, capital strategy and physical commodity trading is building its legal function and is looking for a Group Legal Counsel to lead it. The role reports to the Group Chief Operating Officer and manages the Group Risk Manager.

Key responsibilities

• Provide practical, independent legal advice to executive management and the Board, helping businesses structure and document transactions and spot legal exposure early
• Coordinate specialist external counsel where jurisdiction, regulation or complexity requires it
• Advise on entity structures, MOAs, shareholder arrangements, delegated authorities, related-party arrangements and conflicts
• Review land acquisitions, JV and development agreements, consultant and construction contracts, and sales documentation
• Advise on lending, security and investment documentation, and coordinate specialist fund and regulatory counsel for a proposed fund platform
• Review commodity trading contracts, including title, delivery, payment security, inspection, default and dispute terms
• Run legal due diligence and conditions precedent, and explain residual risks and alternatives before commitments are made
• Manage notices, disputes and claims, and prepare settlement recommendations within authorised instructions
• Own approved contract templates, clause guidance, matter files and obligation records
• Direct and budget external counsel, tracking their quality and spend
• Advise on IP, confidentiality, data obligations and investor or public claims alongside Marketing, Technology and Compliance

Required profile

• Qualified lawyer with significant in-house or private-practice experience (typically 8+ years) in real estate, construction, corporate or commercial transactions
• Experience across property development, joint ventures, finance and security documents, and commodity or trade contracts
• Strong UAE market experience; familiarity with DIFC/ADGM and onshore frameworks is a plus
• Ability to give clear, commercial advice to senior executives and the Board, and to escalate firmly when needed
• Comfortable building templates, processes and records in a growing group