Senior Legal Affairs and Contracts Specialist

About the role

The Office of Legal Affairs at Zayed University is looking for a Senior Legal Affairs and Contracts Specialist to implement legal affairs and contracts activities, including drafting institutional agreements, facilitating dispute resolution and carrying out legal risk assessments. The role ensures regulatory compliance, protects the university's interests and supports informed decision-making.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate and finalise university contracts, agreements and MoUs, and review submissions from academic, administrative, research, procurement, IT and HR departments
• Negotiate academic and institutional partnership agreements and advise stakeholders on legal implications and risks
• Identify high-risk or ambiguous clauses, develop risk-based recommendations for approvals and represent the Legal function externally
• Conduct legal research, give written or verbal legal opinions and prepare amendments, addendums, renewals, warning letters and termination notices
• Manage the contract review process from request to execution, monitor turnaround times and prioritise by urgency and risk
• Contribute to university-wide policy review from a legal perspective, interpret legislation and implement risk mitigation for crisis response
• Protect intellectual property rights and maintain accurate legal records
• Perform ad-hoc tasks requested by the Direct Supervisor

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree with at least 8 years of experience and 4 years in a supervisory position, or a Master's degree with at least 6 years of experience and 2 years in a supervisory position
• Certification in a relevant field is preferred

What we offer

• Competitive, tax-free salary in the UAE
• Cash housing, annual vacation and airline tickets for the employee and immediate family
• Educational subsidies for children and healthcare for the employee and sponsored family members

To apply, complete the online application form and attach a cover letter, current CV and the names and contact details of three professional references; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.