Legal Counsel

Visa; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading payment services company is seeking an experienced Counsel to join their Legal team in Dubai. This role will involve supporting the Value-Added Services function and requires at least 8 years of experience in legal roles, with strong contract drafting and regulatory review skills essential. The position offers a hybrid work model, balancing office days with remote work.

Qualifications

• 8 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor Degree or at least 5 years of experience with an Advanced Degree.
• Minimum 8 years PQE with an international law firm or a multinational organization.
• Experience in payment services and payment industry is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a go-to lawyer for VAS function.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts.
• Monitor regulatory developments and advise on their impact.

Skills

Legal analytical skills

Strong contract review drafting skills

Excellent written and verbal English

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Ability to work cross-functionally

Education

Law degree (JD or equivalent)

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Legal tools including AI

Job description

Team Summary

The Visa CEMEA Legal team manages Visas legal affairs in the CEMEA region. Our team provides advice and services to ensure business goals are successfully met and that Visas brand and reputation are protected while minimizing legal liability and regulatory risks. Our vision entails each legal professional living the guiding principles to be a proactive partner who never loses sight of his/her responsibility to protect the company.

Visa CEMEA Legal team includes subject matter expert group focusing on certain areas of Visa business such as Value-added Services (VAS) Products Commercial and Money Movement (CMS) Marketing and Sourcing SME Legal team.

What a Counsel in Legal does at Visa:

The position is for an experienced attorney to join Visas legal team in CEMEA region to primarily support Visas Value-Added Services (VAS) function as well as other Visa products services and solutions and related matters in CEMEA markets.

The position will report to Visa attorney whose team is the Legal SMEs for VAS Products and Solutions CMS Marketing and Sourcing in the CEMEA region. The applicant should ideally have experience in technology payments regulatory advertising IP and commercial business law be able to understand the specifics of Visa business model and technology assess existing and new initiatives conduct regulatory reviews draft and review contracts to the highest standard. The applicant must have solid technical legal skills with good commercial/legal risk judgment and be able to juggle multiple priorities in a fast paced and challenging but rewarding environment.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULTS AREA

• Be a dedicated resource/go to lawyer for VAS function
• Provide counselling and advice as a strategic advisor to the business regarding assessment and structuring of solutions regulatory requirements and common approaches
• Draft review and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts as well as develop and manage regional templates/standard documents or adapt Visa global or regional documents to CEMEA requirements
• Support VAS function in promotions marketing and advertising matters reviews and assessments
• Where required coordinate and supervise outside counsels for timeliness cost-effectiveness and excellence of service and work product
• Monitor regulatory developments and advise on impact thereof on the business
• Streamline optimize improve the legal processes automate standardize legal routines manage VAS contracting
• Assist Visa staff with approval of internal and external communications and presentations
• Some travel may be required

STRATEGIC NATURE MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY & SCOPE

As part of the legal team actively participate in developing strategies objectives policies and procedures.

Take a strong role and assist in developing initiatives to improve legal service. Proactively move strategic thinking to operational concept and tactical deployment of service. Proactively work with global regional and functional colleagues on deployment of projects and developments.

As part of the team actively participate in developing policies and processes to meet business objectives.

DECISION MAKING & COMPLEXITY

Advise on local legal matters whilst seeking to ensure legal and business objectives and requirements are effectively implemented. Manage assigned business divisions within complex geographical legislative environment and tight deadlines. Work collaboratively in a team context to achieve shared goals. Demonstrate good level of competency within the areas of responsibilities.

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Qualifications

• Basic Qualifications
• 8 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor Degree or at least 5 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters MBA JD MD)
• Law degree and qualification which allows for in house practice in the applicable jurisdiction
• Minimum 8 years PQE with an international law firm or a multinational organization
• Experience in payment services payment industry and advertising is advantageous (but not essential)
• Excellent legal analytical skills with the ability to integrate legal advice and business knowledge while providing balanced advice regarding risks and benefits
• Excellent written and verbal English
• Skilled user of legal tools including AI
• Strong contract review drafting skills as well as regulatory reviews
• Experience working in a US/multinational/ highly matrix organisation is preferred
• Ability to work cross-functionally within the organization to implement projects
• Strong communication skills
• Excellent organisation skills
• Have a global mindset and the ability to work well in a dynamic and deadline-oriented environment
• Must be able to work independently and interface with different level stakeholders with little or no supervision but also be a good team player
• Excellent legal analytical skills with the ability to integrate legal advice and business knowledge while providing balanced advice regarding risks and benefits

Additional Information

Visa is an EEO Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin sexual orientation gender identity disability or protected veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Remote Work

No

Employment Type

Full-time