Legal Counsel – Data Privacy & Commercial Contracts

About the role

The Legal Counsel will provide comprehensive legal support across all business functions of Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle, focusing on contract management, dispute resolution, and data‑privacy compliance. You will work closely with internal teams and franchisees to ensure legal risk is mitigated and regulatory obligations are met.

Key responsibilities

• Review, negotiate and draft Heads of Terms, franchise agreements and commercial contracts.
• Prepare and manage service, consultancy, supply, sponsorship and lease agreements in line with business strategy.
• Advise business units on commercial, regulatory and intellectual‑property matters.
• Oversee disputes and litigation, coordinating with external counsel.
• Monitor changes in franchising, labour, competition and consumer law and communicate impact.
• Lead data‑privacy compliance programmes, including policy implementation, breach management and adherence to GCC regulations.
• Support governance frameworks, audits, investigations and regulatory reporting.
• Deliver training and collaborate cross‑functionally to raise compliance awareness.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Law (LLB); privacy certifications (CIPM or CIPP/E) are a plus.
• 3–5 years of experience as an in‑house Legal Counsel, preferably in retail.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of GDPR, UAE PDPL and KSA PDPL.
• Hands‑on privacy‑compliance experience (minimum 1 year).
• Familiarity with data‑protection tools such as OneTrust, Securiti.AI, DLP solutions, encryption and anonymisation technologies.