Legal Staff Director - Commercial Counsel

About the role

The Legal Staff Director – Commercial Counsel will lead a high‑performing regional legal team and provide strategic legal and compliance guidance for Baker Hughes' OFSE operations across the Middle East. This senior position combines legal leadership, people management and direct ownership of complex commercial matters.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a regional legal team, ensuring consistent commercial judgment across jurisdictions.
• Partner with business leaders to align legal support with strategy, growth priorities and operational execution.
• Provide strategic advice on commercial, regulatory, compliance, labor, public procurement, HSE, competition and integrity issues.
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including customer contracts, vendor agreements and NDAs.
• Improve legal operations by reducing external spend, increasing contracting efficiency and leveraging legal technology.
• Collaborate with Compliance and Integrity teams on investigations, third‑party diligence and risk mitigation.
• Manage regional disputes and litigation matters, overseeing reserves, accruals and reporting.
• Serve as senior legal liaison for key customer relationships across the Middle East.

Required profile

• Law degree from an accredited institution.
• Active bar membership or equivalent authorization to practice law in a relevant jurisdiction.
• Minimum 12 years of legal experience, preferably in‑house, with exposure to commercial and regulatory matters.
• Proven experience leading and developing legal teams in a multi‑jurisdictional environment.

Required skills

• Strong commercial judgment and ability to interpret complex contracts.
• Expertise in regulatory, compliance, labor and public procurement law.
• Negotiation and drafting skills for a broad spectrum of commercial agreements.
• Capability to manage disputes, litigation and legal risk.