Managing Counsel, Product (Payroll Experience Required)

About the role

We are seeking a Managing Counsel, Product with deep payroll and AI expertise to join a fast‑growing HR‑technology partner in the United Arab Emirates. This senior legal leader will act as the strategic advisor for product, payroll, engineering, privacy, security and commercial teams, translating complex regulatory requirements across more than 90 jurisdictions into actionable product guidance.

Key responsibilities

• Provide end‑to‑end legal counsel for payroll and AI‑enabled products, including launch‑readiness and AI impact assessments.
• Draft and negotiate product terms, AI‑specific contractual provisions, and data‑usage clauses.
• Monitor emerging AI, employment, data‑protection and payroll regulations worldwide and issue clear, practical recommendations.
• Collaborate with privacy and security teams on DPIAs, incident response, vendor assessments and due‑diligence for AI/LLM providers.
• Manage external counsel on multi‑jurisdictional matters, ensuring commercially focused advice.
• Deliver legal enablement through training sessions, office hours and practical guidance for internal stakeholders.

Required profile

• Qualified lawyer with extensive experience in payroll, employment law and data‑protection across multiple jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a distributed, asynchronous environment.
• Strong commercial judgment and product‑thinking mindset.
• Proven track record of translating regulatory risk into clear product requirements.

Required skills

• In‑depth knowledge of AI regulations (EU AI Act, UK, US, Canada) and data‑privacy frameworks (GDPR, CCPA).
• Experience drafting AI impact assessments, model cards and governance frameworks.
• Ability to work closely with engineering, product and privacy teams.