Legal Counsel

Food People; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the FMCG sector is seeking a highly skilled Legal Counsel to join their dynamic team in the UAE. This role offers the opportunity to provide strategic legal advice to senior leadership, ensuring compliance with local regulations and managing complex commercial contracts. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in corporate law and regulatory matters, with at least 8 years of experience, including in-house counsel roles. Join a fast-paced environment where your expertise will contribute to the company's growth and success.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of post-qualification experience, with 2-4 years in-house.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is a MUST.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support and strategic guidance to business leaders.
• Draft, review, and manage commercial agreements.
• Ensure compliance with UAE laws and regulations.

Skills

Commercial Contracts

Corporate Law

Regulatory Compliance

Dispute Management

Risk Mitigation

Negotiation Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB)

Job description

About the Role

Food People has partnered with a food and beverage manufacturing company seeking a highly skilled Legal Counsel to join their fast-growing FMCG company in the UAE. This in-house role will serve as a trusted legal advisor to the senior leadership team, ensuring that all business operations comply with applicable laws and regulations. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in commercial contracts, corporate law, and regulatory matters, with the agility to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Legal Advisory & Strategy: Provide proactive legal support and strategic guidance to the President and business leaders on a wide array of legal and regulatory matters
• Commercial Contracts: Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a broad range of commercial agreements, including supplier, distribution, and agency contracts
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to UAE laws and regulations, including those specific to the FMCG sector, such as labeling, trade practices, and consumer protection
• Corporate Governance: Support internal governance processes, manage legal aspects of board and shareholder meetings, and ensure statutory compliance
• Dispute Management: Oversee potential legal disputes and litigation, liaising with external counsel when necessary
• Risk Mitigation: Identify and mitigate legal risks in business processes, transactions, and strategic initiatives
• Training & Policies: Develop and implement internal policies, and conduct training sessions for staff on legal and compliance issues
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with functions including Sales, Procurement, Marketing, HR, and Finance to provide legal support for strategic and day-to-day operations

Key Ingredients

• Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB); must be qualified to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction
• Minimum of 8 years of post-qualification experience, with at least 2-4 years in an in-house counsel role
• Strong experience in the FMCG industry is required
• Proven expertise in negotiating and managing complex commercial contracts in the UAE legal and regulatory landscape
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Fluency in English and Arabic is a MUST

*Please note that only candidates with relevant experience based on the above will be shortlisted and reached out to