Dubai, Sports Director (10 PQE plus), In House / inhouse within Sports & Entertainment

Ellis-Wake; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal recruitment agency is seeking a qualified sports lawyer to join an in-house team in the UAE. The role requires over 10 years of experience in commercial sports and entertainment law, with a particular focus on GCC and KSA regulations. The successful candidate will lead a bilingual team and manage complex legal matters, including contracts and regulatory compliance. This position offers the opportunity to influence the legal aspects of major sports relationships and grow the department's capabilities.

Qualifications

• 10+ PQE or equivalent level of experience.
• Exposure to GCC sports work and notable experience in KSA sport matters.
• Ability to lead a bilingual team (Arabic and English).

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive legal advice on sports and entertainment matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and agreements.
• Lead and develop a team of bilingual lawyers for the department.
• Drive restructuring and regulatory compliance across the GCC.
• Manage stakeholder relationships with national football teams, FIFA, and the AFC.

Skills

Commercial sports law

Entertainment law

Contract negotiation

Intellectual property

Regulatory compliance

Job description

Overview

Exclusive and new for 2026 - having just placed a projects director, we are further mandated for this in house sports role in the UAE @ 10+ PQE. This will suit a general commercial sports and entertainment lawyer that is already in the ME or a lawyer keen to swap London. You must have exposure to GCC sports work and more notably KSA sport work. The role reports directly to the senior director and the aim is to drive forward this department and business line.

You will be responsible for all the legal aspects within the department including the sector\'s restructuring and regulatory framework across the GCC. The KSA region is fundamental and all experience here will be considered a plus. You will lead a team of Arabic and English speaking lawyers and build a team with that in mind.

Your experience should include advice on all issues re sports, but also on entertainment law, including contracts, intellectual property, sponsorship, media rights, and regulatory compliance. This will include day-to-day drafting, reviewing, and negotiating of complex contracts and agreements. You will be exposed to relationships with national football teams, FIFA, and the AFC. Fundamentally, you will build a team of experts focusing on the commercial legal aspects of sports and drive the business forward.

Responsibilities (illustrative)

• Provide comprehensive legal advice on sports and entertainment matters, including contracts, IP, sponsorship, media rights, and regulatory compliance.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts and agreements on a day-to-day basis.
• Lead and develop a team of Arabic and English speaking lawyers for the department.
• Drive restructuring and regulatory compliance across the GCC, with emphasis on the KSA region.
• Manage stakeholder relationships, including national football teams, FIFA, and the AFC.
• Work towards building the commercial legal capabilities of the sports practice and advancing the department as a core business line.

Qualifications and Experience (minimum)

• 10+ PQE or equivalent level of experience.
• Exposure to GCC sports work and notable experience in KSA sport matters.
• Experience in general commercial sports and entertainment law, including contracts, IP, sponsorship, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to lead a bilingual team (Arabic and English) and manage cross-cultural legal work.
• Willingness to relocate or work in the UAE in this in-house role, reporting to the senior director.

Location and Reporting

Based in the UAE (in-house role) with reporting to the senior director. The city of employment specifics beyond the UAE are not detailed in the provided content.

About the Recruiter

Based in the City of London, Dan qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and is the owner of one of the longest serving legal recruitment agencies in London and the South East of England, Ellis-Wake. He regularly advises his clients on the complexities of the legal market, on strategic futures, and is a known connector and influencer in the recruitment market. Dan\'s experience stretches back to 2004 and he has recruited successfully in varied market conditions. If this role is of interest please contact Dan Wake (Director) in confidence at or on([phone]. Ellis-Wake acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.