Head Legal Advisory and Contracts

Sukoon Insurance; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Sukoon Insurance in Dubai seeks a Head of Legal Advisory & Contracts to lead strategic legal counsel, oversee contract governance, and manage regulatory risk in a complex insurance environment.

You will advise the executive team and board, steer M&A, restructurings, and major commercial arrangements, and build a high-performing cross-border legal function across the UAE and wider Middle East.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of post-qualification legal experience with 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Extensive experience in insurance, reinsurance, financial services or regulated sectors.
• Proven ability to advise executive management, Boards and senior teams.

Responsibilities

• Act as the lead strategic legal advisor on corporate, commercial, regulatory and governance matters.
• Lead drafting, review and management of a broad range of contracts and partnerships.
• Oversee regulatory compliance across UAE; liaise with regulators and external counsel.
• Support M&A, restructurings, and strategic corporate transactions; oversee due diligence.

Skills

Strategic legal advisory

Contract governance

Regulatory risk management

Leadership

Cross-border transactions

Education

LLB degree

LLM in Corporate/Commercial Law

Governance certifications

Job description

The Head of Legal Advisory & Contracts is a senior legal leadership role responsible for providing strategic legal counsel across the organization, ensuring robust contract governance, managing legal and regulatory risk, and supporting the company's commercial objectives. The role serves as a trusted advisor to the Executive Management Team, business units and the board where needed on legal, regulatory, corporate governance, and transactional matters.

The successful candidate will bring a strong corporate and commercial legal background, ideally gained within the insurance, financial services, or regulated sectors, with deep knowledge of UAE and wider Middle East legal and regulatory frameworks. Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic corporate transactions is highly desirable.

Job Requirements:

1. Legal Advisory &Contract Management

• Act as the company's lead strategic legal advisor on corporate, commercial, regulatory, governance, and strategic matters.
• Provide pragmatic, business-focused legal advice to executive leadership and key stakeholders across the organization.
• Support the development and execution of business strategies while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and corporate governance requirements.
• Advise on complex legal issues impacting the insurance/ Reinsurance business, including distribution arrangements, partnerships, outsourcing, technology initiatives, and strategic projects.
• Oversee corporate transactional work—M&A, restructurings, product launches—ensuring regulatory compliance in Dubai Mainland, Freezones, and DIFC.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities (e.g., UAE Insurance Authority, DFSA, DIFC Commissioner’s Office) and manage external counsel relationships ensure cost-effective delivery of legal services.

2. Contracts & Commercial Management

• Lead the drafting, review, negotiation, and management of a broad range of commercial agreements, including: Service agreements, Technology and digital contracts, Vendor and outsourcing agreements, Distribution and agency agreements, Strategic Partnership agreements, Confidentiality and data sharing agreements, Corporate and Stakeholder Agreements.
• Establish and maintain a robust contract governance framework and approval process.
• Ensure contractual arrangements appropriately protect the company's interests while enabling commercial objectives.
• Provide guidance on contract risk, dispute avoidance, and liability management.

3. Regulatory & Governance

• Lead the legal aspects of compliance with UAE insurance regulations and relevant regulatory frameworks across the Middle East region.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and advise management on potential impacts to the business.
• Support governance activities, including Board and Committee matters where required.
• Develop and maintain legal policies, standards, and governance frameworks in line with regulatory expectations and industry best practice.
• Collaborate closely with Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit, and other control functions.

4. Corporate Transactions & Strategic Initiatives

• Support mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, strategic partnerships, and joint ventures.
• Lead legal due diligence processes and transaction documentation.
• Advise on transaction structuring, post-acquisition integration, and ongoing governance requirements.
• Support corporate restructuring and expansion initiatives across the UAE and wider Middle East region.

5. Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Build and lead a high performing cross-jurisdictional legal team.
• Develop legal capability, frameworks, and operating models that support growth and regulatory compliance.
• Foster strong relationships with regulators, external counsel, industry bodies, and key stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop legal professionals within the team.

Educational Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from a recognized university is required.
• Master’s Degree in Law (LLM), Corporate Law, Commercial Law, or a related discipline is highly preferred.
• Professional certifications in Corporate Governance, Compliance, Risk Management, or Contract Management will be an advantage.

Experience Required:

• Minimum 15+ years of post-qualification legal experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role leading legal functions within a complex organization.
• Proven experience in the insurance, reinsurance, financial services, banking, or other highly regulated industries.
• Extensive experience providing strategic legal advice to Executive Management, Boards, and Senior Leadership Teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in drafting, negotiating, and managing complex commercial contracts and strategic agreements.
• Strong track record in supporting and leading mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, strategic partnerships, corporate restructurings, and cross-border transactions.
• Experience managing external legal counsel and regulatory relationships across multiple jurisdictions.
• Previous experience working within the UAE and wider Middle East region is essential.