Legal Director

Core42; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 120,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Yearly Bonus

Discount Cards: Esaad & Fazaa

Premium Family Insurance

Learning & Development

Job summary

Core42 seeks a visionary Legal Director (Arabic Speaking) to lead Core42's legal engagement with Abu Dhabi government entities and regulators. This senior role reports to the Vice President - Legal Affairs and requires fluency in Arabic and English to represent Core42 credibly at the highest government levels.

You will guide regulatory, governance, and commercial matters, mentor junior lawyers, and shape the company’s approach to data sovereignty and national security in regulated infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer in a Common Law jurisdiction, preferably England & Wales.
• Minimum of 8 years post-qualification experience with significant public-sector exposure.
• Full professional fluency in Arabic and English, including drafting and negotiations in both languages.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal engagement with Abu Dhabi government entities and public-sector customers, acting as Core42's primary legal contact.
• Advise on public-sector procurement, tenders, and government framework agreements from qualification to award.
• Represent Core42 in negotiations with government stakeholders in Arabic and English.
• Monitor UAE legislative developments affecting sovereign cloud, data, AI, and translate them into practical guidance.

Skills

Arabic fluency

English fluency

Public-sector legal work

Contract drafting

Regulatory knowledge UAE

Negotiation

Team leadership

Education

Common law qualification (England & Wales preferred)

Job description

Core42, a leader in AI-powered cloud and digital infrastructure, is driving transformative technology solutions globally. Leveraging advanced resources and partnerships, Core42 empowers clients to harness sovereign AI infrastructure, especially in sectors with stringent regulatory needs. With a mission to redefine digital transformation, we combine sovereign capabilities with scalable, high-performance compute infrastructure, positioning itself at the forefront of AI innovation in the Middle East and beyond.

The opportunity

The Legal Director (Arabic Speaking) is a visionary and strategic leader who owns Core42's legal engagement with Abu Dhabi government entities, regulators and public-sector counterparties. The role reports directly to the Vice President - Legal Affairs and operates with equal fluency in Arabic and English, representing Core42 with credibility at the most senior levels of government. It leads on public-sector transactions, regulatory matters and the governance framework that underpins Core42's position as a sovereign technology provider, while continuing to advise the business on its wider legal needs. This is an excellent opportunity to play a critical role in a dynamic, high-performing and collaborative team that fosters a positive and supportive environment.

Your key responsibilities

Government & Public-Sector Engagement

• Lead legal engagement with Abu Dhabi government entities, authorities and public-sector customers, acting as Core42's primary legal point of contact.
• Advise on public-sector procurement, tender submissions and government framework agreements from qualification through to award.
• Represent Core42 in negotiations and discussions with government stakeholders in Arabic and English.

Regulatory & Public Policy

• Monitor UAE legislative and regulatory developments affecting sovereign cloud, data and AI, and translate them into practical guidance for the business.
• Manage licensing, permits and regulatory submissions in coordination with the relevant UAE authorities.
• Advise on data sovereignty, data protection and national security requirements applicable to regulated and critical national infrastructure work.

Governance & Risk

• Strengthen the corporate governance framework, including entity management, delegations of authority and board documentation.
• Promote legal, compliance and risk management best practice throughout the company.
• Oversee external counsel and dispute resolution, controlling cost, quality and outcome.

Commercial Contracting

• Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts, including service agreements, supply and purchase agreements and employment-related agreements.
• Provide sound legal advice on commercial and contractual matters arising across the business.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Team Development

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including Core42's human capital, procurement, marketing, facilities and finance teams, to understand and cater to the company's general legal needs.
• Mentor and develop junior lawyers, raising the standard of legal delivery across the function.

What we’re looking for

(a) Required skills / qualifications

• Qualified lawyer in a Common Law jurisdiction or the US, with preference for candidates qualified under the laws of England and Wales.
• Minimum of 8 years of post-qualification experience, with substantial exposure to government and public-sector legal work.
• Full professional fluency in Arabic and English, including drafting, negotiating and presenting in both languages.
• Demonstrable experience advising Abu Dhabi government entities or public-sector organisations, with an established understanding of how they operate.
• Strong working knowledge of the UAE regulatory environment, ADGM law, UAE companies' law and the laws of England and Wales.
• Experience of public-sector procurement, tendering and government framework agreements.
• Credibility and presence to represent Core42 with senior government and regulatory stakeholders.
• Ability to be an effective team player and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent supervisory skills with experience in mentoring and developing junior lawyers.

(b) Preferred skills / qualifications

• Prior experience gained in-house at a UAE government entity, regulator or sovereign investor.
• Experience in technology, cloud, data or AI sectors, including data protection and information security matters.
• Established network across the Abu Dhabi legal, regulatory and government community.

What working at Core42 offers

With a diverse team of 1,100+ employees from 68 nationalities, we foster an inclusive, innovative and collaborative environment. At Core42, we foster a culture grounded in trust, accountability and high performance. We are united by our values: Grit, where we overcome challenges with resilience and determination, Passion, which drives us to pursue excellence in everything we do, and Impact, as we aim to inspire progress and create meaningful change. Our team members thrive in an environment where each person's contributions propel us forward, and together, we commit to achieving extraordinary results.

• Competitive Salary: We offer an attractive salary package based on your skills and experience
• Yearly Bonus: In recognition of your contributions, you will receive a performance-based annual bonus
• Exclusive Discount Cards: Access special benefits with Esaad and Fazaa cards, offering discounts across a wide range of services
• Premium Family Insurance: We provide comprehensive health coverage, including dental, vision and life insurance, ensuring the well-being of you and your family
• Learning & Development: We offer access to top-tier learning platforms to help you grow in your career. Learn at your own pace with unlimited access to premium courses.