Head of Legal

Azizi Developments; Dubai; On-site; AED 800,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Azizi Developments, a leading UAE-based private real estate developer, seeks an experienced Head of Legal / Legal Director to lead the legal function and act as a trusted strategic advisor to the CEO and senior leadership. This senior role requires deep UAE real estate expertise and proven leadership capabilities.

You will steer governance, risk management, and complex real estate transactions, while managing external counsel and building a high-performing in-house team.

Qualifications

• 18+ years of substantial legal experience, with significant UAE focus.
• Extensive UAE real estate development experience.
• Strong expertise in real estate, commercial and corporate law.
• Experience with construction contracts and development agreements.
• Proven track record leading in-house legal teams.
• Fluency in Arabic and English; UAE qualification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Group’s legal strategy, governance and risk-management framework.
• Provide strategic legal advice to CEO, Executive Management and senior stakeholders.
• Oversee complex real estate transactions, acquisitions and development projects.
• Draft and negotiate SPAs, JV agreements, development and construction contracts, leases.
• Advise on legal risks related to property acquisitions, developments and investments.
• Manage external counsel and law firms; build a high-performing in-house team.

Skills

Leadership

Contract Negotiation

Real Estate Law

Stakeholder Mgmt

Bilingual AR/EN

Education

Bachelor of Law

Job description

Azizi Developments is a leading UAE-based private real estate developer with a growing portfolio of landmark residential and mixed-use developments. Our corporate functions play a critical role in supporting the Group’s strategy, growth, governance and long-term business objectives.

We are seeking an experienced Head of Legal / Legal Director to lead the legal function and serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the CEO, Executive Management and senior business leadership.

This is a senior leadership position requiring a combination of deep legal expertise, strong commercial acumen, extensive UAE real estate experience and proven leadership capability.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Group’s overall legal strategy, governance and risk-management framework.
• Provide strategic legal advice to the CEO, Executive Management and senior stakeholders.
• Lead and oversee complex real estate transactions, acquisitions, investments and development projects.
• Review, draft and negotiate SPAs, JV agreements, development agreements, construction contracts, consultancy agreements, leases, MOUs and other commercial agreements.
• Advise the business on legal risks associated with property acquisitions, development, sales, investments, partnerships and corporate transactions.
• Lead the legal strategy for litigation, arbitration, disputes, claims, settlements and contentious matters.
• Oversee major commercial negotiations and high-value contractual arrangements.
• Advise on construction and development-related legal matters, including contractor, consultant and project agreements.
• Provide guidance on corporate governance, structuring, regulatory and compliance matters.
• Ensure compliance with applicable UAE laws, regulations and real estate requirements.
• Manage and strategically direct external legal counsel and law firms.
• Develop legal policies, processes, controls and contract frameworks to strengthen the organization’s legal governance.
• Identify, assess and mitigate legal and commercial risks across the business.
• Build, lead and develop a high-performing in-house legal team.
• Act as a commercially focused business partner, balancing legal protection, risk management and business objectives.

Core Responsibilities:

• Property Acquisitions & Disposals
• Commercial Contracts & Negotiations
• Construction & Development Agreements
• Litigation & Arbitration
• Joint Ventures & Partnerships
• Corporate & Governance Matters
• Investments & Corporate Transactions
• Regulatory & Compliance Advisory
• Risk Management & Legal Strategy

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in law or equivalent legal qualification is mandatory.
• 18+ years of substantial legal experience, with significant experience in the UAE.
• Proven experience within UAE real estate development, preferably with a leading developer.
• Extensive expertise in real estate, commercial and corporate law.
• Strong background in construction contracts, development agreements and property-related transactions.
• Significant experience handling litigation, arbitration, disputes, claims and settlement matters.
• Proven track record managing complex, high-value transactions and negotiations.
• Strong understanding of the UAE legal and regulatory landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to advise CEOs, C-suite executives, boards and senior management.
• Strong commercial judgment, negotiation and risk-management capabilities.
• Proven experience in leading and developing in-house legal teams.
• Strong stakeholder-management and communication skills.
• Fluency in Arabic and English is mandatory.
• UAE legal qualification/admission will be highly regarded.