Legal Counsel

CNS Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CNS Middle East is seeking a Legal Counsel Contract Manager to serve as a legal and commercial advisor across its technology and IT services portfolio in the UAE. You will manage end-to-end contract lifecycle from tender through negotiation, execution, and renewals, providing practical guidance to senior management while identifying and mitigating contractual risks.

The role requires strong negotiation, commercial acumen, and experience in system integration, cloud, cybersecurity, and managed

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Law, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Master's degree or relevant professional legal/contract management qualification is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to management on commercial, contractual, corporate and regulatory matters.
• Advise on implications of customer, vendor, partner, subcontractor, and strategic agreements.

Skills

Legal expertise

Contract negotiation

Commercial acumen

Regulatory knowledge UAE

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Law, Business Administration, or related field

Master's degree or relevant professional qualification

Job description

The role will serve as a legal and commercial advisor to the business providing strategic legal contractual and commercial support across CNS s technology and IT services portfolio This includes system integration managed services cybersecurity cloud digital infrastructure software professional services and strategic technology engagements The Legal Counsel Contract Manager will manage the end-to-end contract lifecycle from tender and contract development through negotiation execution project delivery variations claims renewals and termination The role will also provide practical legal advice to senior management and business functions identify and mitigate contractual and legal risks and ensure that CNS s commercial interests are effectively protected The ideal candidate will combine strong legal expertise sound contract negotiation capabilities and commercial acumen with experience in a technology IT services system integration telecommunications or managed services environment strong Duties amp Responsibilities strong strong Legal Advisory amp Counsel strong

Provide legal advice to management and business functions on commercial contractual corporate and regulatory matters Advise on the legal and commercial implications of customer vendor partner subcontractor and strategic business agreements Provide legal guidance throughout tendering RFPs bids negotiations contract execution and project delivery Review and advise on matters relating to liability indemnities intellectual property confidentiality data protection warranties termination dispute resolution and regulatory requirements Identify and proactively manage legal risks associated with business activities projects partnerships and new services Support the business in managing contractual disputes claims notices breaches and potential litigation matters Coordinate with and manage external legal counsel where specialist advice is required Ensure contractual arrangements and business practices comply with applicable UAE laws regulations and internal policies strong Contract Management amp Negotiation strong Manage the end-to-end contract lifecycle for key customer vendor partner and subcontractor agreements Draft review and negotiate complex MSAs SOWs SLAs NDAs framework agreements service agreements subcontract agreements partnership agreements and other commercial contracts Lead negotiations for contracts relating to system integration managed services cybersecurity cloud software digital infrastructure IT outsourcing and professional services Establish appropriate contractual positions and negotiate key commercial and legal terms to protect CNS s interests Proactively monitor contractual rights obligations deliverables milestones payment terms liabilities warranties SLAs penalties and other commitments Advise project and commercial teams on contract interpretation variations change requests claims extensions renewals and termination Support the development and implementation of contract management policies processes templates approval frameworks and governance mechanisms strong Commercial amp Business Support strong Partner closely with Sales Presales Delivery Project Management Procurement Finance Compliance Information Security and senior leadership Provide legal and commercial support for government and public-sector tenders and strategic technology engagements Assess contractual risks during the sales and bidding process and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies Support commercial teams in achieving business objectives while maintaining an appropriate legal and risk position Escalate significant contractual legal and commercial risks to senior management with clear recommendations

Education:

• Bachelor s degree in Law, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Master s degree or relevant professional legal/contract management qualification is an advantage.

Experience :

• 5-7 years in contracts or legal/commercial roles
• Strong experience in commercial contract drafting, negotiation, contract lifecycle management, and legal advisory.
• Proven experience within a system integrator, IT services company, technology provider, telecommunications company, managed services provider, or similar environment.
• Strong understanding of technology and IT services contracts, including managed services, system integration, cloud, cybersecurity, software, infrastructure, and professional services.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex and high-value commercial contracts.
• Strong knowledge of claims, variations, disputes, liability, indemnities, warranties, SLAs, penalties, termination, and contractual remedies.
• Good understanding of UAE commercial and contractual laws and business practices.
• Experience with government/public-sector contracts and tenders is highly desirable.
• Excellent negotiation, drafting, analytical, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to operate confidently with senior executives and business leadership.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.