Legal Counsel

SABIS Network; Dubai; On-site; AED 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

SABIS is seeking an experienced in-house Legal Counsel to act as the primary local liaison, coordinating with the Headquarters Legal Department on contracts, regulatory matters, risk assessments, and compliance across jurisdictions. The role supports Regional Operations Directors and oversees the contract lifecycle in a multinational education network.

Ideal candidates have LL.B. with 6–7 years in-house experience, strong English and Arabic; French is a plus.

Qualifications

• LL.B. required; Master’s degree in law preferred.
• Fluency in English and Arabic; French is a plus.
• 6–7 years in-house corporate legal experience.
• Experience across multiple jurisdictions is advantageous.
• Demonstrates professional judgment, ethics and accountability, with strong delivery of results.

Responsibilities

• Assist Headquarters Legal Department in analyzing and advising on diverse legal matters.
• Draft and review broad range of contracts and legal documents, ensuring compliance with standards and risk management.
• Support contract lifecycle: initiation, negotiation, execution, renewal, amendment and termination.
• Perform company secretarial functions: agendas, minutes, record-keeping and governance support.
• Coordinate with regulators, external counsel, and stakeholders across jurisdictions.
• Monitor regulatory developments and advise on compliance needs for the business.
• Provide legal support to operations and project managers on contractual obligations and milestones.

Skills

English

Arabic

French (plus)

Education

LL.B.

Master's degree in law

Job description

SABIS ® is a global education network that has an active presence in 21 countries on five continents and educates students in both the private and public sectors. SABIS ® schools implement the proven, proprietary SABIS ® Educational System, which has been developed and refined for over 140 years.

All students in the SABIS ® Network benefit from a long tradition of excellence in education, a reputation that is rooted in a well-developed philosophy that seeks to provide students with a top-quality education that prepares them to meet the challenges of a changing world.

For more information about the SABIS ® Network, visit: www.sabis.net .

Job Purpose

Act as the primary local legal liaison, ensuring that all legal advice, documentation, negotiations, regulatory matters, risk assessments, transactions, contracts, and other legal matters are coordinated with and reviewed by Legal Department at Headquarters, and are negotiated, executed, and delivered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, internal policies, Legal Department requirements, and agreed timelines, while providing legal support to Regional Operations Directors on jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the Legal Department at the Headquarters in analyzing, managing, and advising on diverse legal and compliance matters.


• Provide legal analysis and recommendations on matters relating to contract and tort law, employment law, corporate and commercial law, dispute resolution, and other relevant legal areas, and elevate material or complex legal matters to the Legal Department at Headquarters for guidance, review, and approval as required.


• Draft and review a broad range of contracts and legal documents in coordination with the Legal Department at Headquarters, ensuring compliance with approved legal standards, internal approval processes, and risk management requirements. This includes routine operational documents as well as complex commercial agreements and strategic transactions.


• Support the implementation of approved contract templates, policies, and procedures while administering the full contract lifecycle, including initiation, negotiation, execution, renewal, amendment, and termination.


• Perform company secretarial functions as required, including preparing agendas, drafting and maintaining minutes of meetings, ensuring proper record-keeping of corporate decisions, and supporting compliance with statutory and governance obligations.


• Support the Legal Department at Headquarters by conducting legal research and analysis, preparing legal documentation, and coordinating legal matters across jurisdictions.


• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and ensure that the Legal Department at Headquarters is promptly informed of new laws, regulations, and compliance requirements relevant to the business.


• Provide legal and administrative support to operational teams, including assisting with clerical tasks, maintaining legal records, managing document repositories and supporting legal process administration.


• Identify, assess, and report on legal risks associated with business activities, transactions, and strategic initiatives.


• Assist the Legal Department at Headquarters with the incorporation, restructuring, and maintenance of local, regional, and international entities, including the drafting and preparation of legal documentation and coordination with external counsel to ensure compliance with local legal requirements.


• Support project managers and Regional Operations Director on legal matters arising from contract implementation and execution, and monitor compliance with contractual obligations and key milestones while ensuring alignment with the guidance, requirements, and directions of the Legal Department at Headquarters.


• Liaise with regulators, governmental authorities, external counsel, and other relevant stakeholders on legal and compliance matters.


• Provide legal advice and support to operations on material legal matters and key initiatives, including regulatory compliance, contracts, governance, disputes, and legal risk assessment, as required.


• Performing other legal-related tasks as they arise and as delegated by the Legal department at the Headquarters.

Ideal Requirements:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)


• A Master's degree in law is a plus


• English and Arabic (French is a plus)


• At least 6-7 years as an in-house legal consultant within a corporate setting


• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions is an advantage


• Professional behavior and ethical conduct


• Demonstrating sound professional judgment and diligence in the preparation and delivery of legal work, including the responsible use of technology and support tools.


• Delivering results


• Accountability and taking ownership

Employment Requirements:

Must meet all employment requirements including, but not limited to, country and local education and certification requirements, reference checks, and criminal background checks.

Additional details about this position will only be provided to short-listed candidates.

SABIS ® is an equal opportunity employer.We are dedicated to a policy of non - discrimination in employment on any basis including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristics.