Head of Legal

About the role

The Head of Legal leads the Group's legal function, safeguards its legal interests and minimizes legal and regulatory risk while providing commercially focused advice that supports strategic growth. The role covers legal, governance and compliance matters across the Group, including corporate structuring, commercial transactions, employment law, real estate, litigation, regulatory compliance and international expansion, working closely with the Executive Team.

Key responsibilities

• Principal legal advisor to the Executive Team and senior leadership, advising on risks from new brands, international expansion, acquisitions and investments
• Lead incorporation of new entities, design the Group's legal structure and lead corporate governance, records and statutory filings
• Lead corporate transactions such as shareholder and JV agreements, franchise and management agreements, M&A, and conduct due diligence
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts and maintain standardized templates
• Lead real estate matters, including leases, landlord negotiations, rent disputes and restaurant openings and relocations
• Advise on employment law, labour disputes and termination, and handle labour disputes in court
• Lead litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution, manage external counsel and litigation budgets
• Build the Legal & Compliance Framework, run internal investigations and protect the IP portfolio
• Update legal policies, approval matrices and governance processes, and deliver compliance training
• Manage external law firms and represent the Company in negotiations
• Lead, mentor and budget the Legal & Compliance Department
• Support legal operations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UK, and coordinate cross-border matters

Required profile

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB); LLM preferred
• Admitted lawyer in a recognized jurisdiction; membership in a recognized Bar Association
• 12-15+ years of post-qualification experience
• At least 5 years leading an in-house legal function or a senior legal leadership role
• Experience in hospitality, retail, consumer goods or multi-brand organizations highly preferred

Required skills

• Corporate law, commercial contracts, corporate governance and M&A
• Shareholder and investment agreements, franchising and joint ventures
• Employment law, real estate and leasing, regulatory compliance and litigation management