Senior Legal Counsel

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to provide strategic and operational legal support across our rapidly expanding retail, manufacturing, and distribution businesses. The role involves advising on commercial, corporate, regulatory, and operational matters to ensure growth aligns with legal compliance, governance, and risk management.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements such as supplier contracts, distribution and franchise agreements, licensing contracts, NDAs, SLAs, procurement contracts, and partnership agreements.
• Provide legal advice to management on corporate governance, business risks, and regulatory requirements.
• Support internal stakeholders in retail, manufacturing, marketing, operations, HR, and finance with day‑to‑day commercial queries.
• Assist with corporate structuring, new entity setup, international market entry, franchising, and joint ventures.
• Manage and protect trademarks, copyrights, patents, and designs globally, including registrations, renewals, and portfolio management.
• Draft and negotiate IP licensing, joint development, and technology transfer agreements.
• Ensure compliance with UAE and GCC food regulations, retail standards, labeling laws, consumer protection, and trade compliance.
• Liaise with government authorities and external advisors on licensing, permits, and regulatory approvals.
• Manage disputes, coordinate external counsel, handle settlement negotiations, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Identify operational and contractual risks and provide practical legal solutions to support strategic initiatives.

Required profile

• Proven experience as a legal counsel handling multi‑jurisdictional commercial transactions.
• Strong knowledge of UAE and GCC regulatory frameworks, especially food and retail regulations.
• Experience in corporate structuring, entity formation, and international expansion.
• Demonstrated ability to advise senior management on corporate governance and risk management.

Required skills