Head of Legal

About the role

Azizi Developments, a leading UAE‑based private real estate developer, is looking for an experienced Head of Legal / Legal Director. The role will lead the legal function, shape the group’s legal strategy and act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and senior leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Define and oversee the group’s legal strategy, governance and risk‑management framework.
• Provide strategic legal advice to the CEO, executive management and senior stakeholders.
• Lead complex real‑estate transactions, acquisitions, investments and development projects.
• Review, draft and negotiate SPAs, joint‑venture agreements, development agreements, construction contracts, consultancy agreements, leases and other commercial contracts.
• Manage litigation, arbitration, disputes, claims and settlement matters.
• Ensure compliance with UAE laws, regulations and real‑estate requirements.
• Direct external counsel and develop internal legal policies, processes and controls.
• Build, lead and develop a high‑performing in‑house legal team.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in law or equivalent legal qualification (mandatory).
• Minimum 18 years of substantial legal experience, with significant UAE exposure.
• Proven experience in UAE real‑estate development, preferably with a leading developer.
• Demonstrated ability to advise CEOs, boards and senior executives on complex legal and commercial matters.
• Strong commercial judgment, negotiation and risk‑management capabilities.
• Fluency in Arabic and English (mandatory).

Required skills

• Corporate Law
• Joint Ventures
• Litigation
• Development Agreements
• Sales Purchase Agreements
• UAE Legal and Regulatory Landscape
• Property Acquisitions
• Partnerships
• Corporate Governance
• Regulatory Compliance Advisory
• Commercial Contracts Negotiations
• Legal Strategy
• Claims Dispute Resolution
• Arbitration
• Risk Management
• Construction Contracts
• Fluency in Arabic
• Fluency in English