Legal Manager

Sanzen Developments; Dubai; On-site; AED 420,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanzen Developments in Dubai seeks a Senior Legal Manager to oversee all UAE real estate and corporate legal matters, advising the CEO and senior management on risk and strategy.

You will handle SPAs, property-related documents, compliance with UAE authorities, and coordination with external counsel. Strong experience with off‑plan sales and regulatory frameworks is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) is mandatory.
• Master’s Degree in Law (Commercial/Corporate/Real Estate) is an advantage.
• Minimum 10 years of legal experience in the UAE.
• Minimum 7–10 years of direct experience with a UAE real estate developer.
• Strong experience handling property development, off‑plan sales, SPAs, real estate transactions, construction contracts, and regulatory matters.
• Strong working knowledge of UAE real estate regulations and relevant government authorities.
• Experience advising CEOs, shareholders, or senior management is highly desirable.
• Experience managing external legal counsel, litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution.
• Excellent knowledge of UAE real estate and commercial legal practices.
• Strong contract drafting, negotiation, and legal interpretation skills.
• Strong understanding of developer‑side legal risks.
• Excellent English communication and legal drafting skills.
• Arabic language proficiency will be a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive legal support for real estate development projects from acquisition through handover and post-handover activities.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize SPAs, reservation forms, booking forms, addenda, amendments, NDAs, MOUs, settlement agreements, and other property-related documents.
• Review and advise on agreements with property owners, investors, brokers, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and service providers.
• Support project registration, property sales documentation, escrow-related requirements, and regulatory submissions.
• Coordinate legal matters with Dubai Land Department, RERA, Oqood, escrow accounts, property registration, and other UAE authorities.
• Advise management on legal matters related to off‑plan sales, cancellations, defaults, refunds, payment plans, and handover disputes.

Skills

UAE real estate regulation

Contract drafting & negotiation

Litigation & dispute resolution

CEO/stakeholder advisory

Regulatory compliance

Arabic language proficiency

Contract management

Legal risk assessment

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB)

Master’s Degree in Law (advantage)

Job description

The Legal Manager will be responsible for managing all legal matters of the company, with primary focus on UAE real estate development, property transactions, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, litigation, and corporate legal affairs.

The position requires a senior legal professional with strong UAE real estate developer experience who can provide practical legal advice to senior management, protect the company’s interests, minimize legal exposure, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive legal support for real estate development projects from acquisition and development through sales, handover, and post-handover activities.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize Sale and Purchase Agreements (SPAs), reservation forms, booking forms, addenda, amendments, NDAs, MOUs, settlement agreements, and other property-related documents.
• Review and advise on agreements with property owners, investors, brokers, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and service providers.
• Support project registration, property sales documentation, escrow-related requirements, and regulatory submissions.
• Coordinate legal matters related to Dubai Land Department, RERA, Oqood, escrow accounts, property registration, and other relevant UAE authorities.
• Advise management on legal matters related to off‑plan sales, cancellations, defaulting purchasers, refunds, payment plans, handover disputes, and property ownership matters.

Contracts & Commercial Legal Support

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, including:
• Construction and contractor agreements
• Consultancy agreements
• Brokerage agreements
• Marketing agreements
• Vendor and supplier contracts
• Service agreements
• Lease agreements
• Partnership and investment agreements
• Confidentiality and non‑disclosure agreements
• Identify contractual risks and recommend appropriate protections before management approval or execution.
• Maintain a proper contract review and approval process and ensure contractual obligations are monitored.

Legal Advisory & Risk Management

• Act as the primary legal advisor to the CEO and senior management on business and operational matters.
• Provide clear and commercially practical legal recommendations rather than purely theoretical legal opinions.
• Identify legal, contractual, regulatory, and reputational risks and recommend mitigation measures.
• Support management during major commercial negotiations and strategic transactions.
• Review new business initiatives, projects, policies, and transactions from a legal risk perspective.
• Manage disputes, claims, arbitration, court cases, and other legal proceedings involving the company.
• Coordinate with external lawyers, legal consultants, and government authorities.
• Prepare case documentation, evidence, legal correspondence, settlement proposals, and management updates.
• Monitor litigation progress and provide management with clear updates regarding exposure, strategy, and recommended actions.
• Negotiate settlements where commercially appropriate.

Corporate Legal & Governance

• Support company incorporation, amendments, shareholder matters, corporate restructuring, powers of attorney, resolutions, and other corporate documentation.
• Maintain legal corporate records and ensure licenses, registrations, and legal documentation remain valid and updated.
• Assist senior management with corporate governance and internal authorization requirements.
• Review board/shareholder resolutions and corporate agreements as required.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Ensure the company operates in compliance with applicable UAE laws and real estate regulations.
• Monitor changes in UAE laws and regulations affecting real estate development and advise management accordingly.
• Support compliance requirements relating to AML, KYC, sanctions screening, beneficial ownership, and real estate transactions.
• Coordinate with relevant departments to implement required legal and compliance controls.

Legal Documentation & Administration

• Establish and maintain a structured legal document management system.
• Maintain records of contracts, legal cases, notices, settlements, powers of attorney, and corporate documents.
• Ensure important legal deadlines, contract expirations, renewals, notices, and court dates are properly tracked.
• Prepare management reports on litigation, legal risks, contracts, and pending legal matters.

Qualification & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) or equivalent is mandatory.
• Master’s Degree in Law, Commercial Law, Corporate Law, or Real Estate Law will be an advantage.
• Minimum 10 years of legal experience in the UAE.
• Minimum 7–10 years of direct experience with a UAE real estate developer is strongly preferred.
• Strong experience handling property development, off‑plan sales, SPAs, real estate transactions, construction contracts, and regulatory matters.
• Strong working knowledge of UAE real estate regulations and relevant government authorities.
• Previous experience advising CEOs, shareholders, or senior management is highly desirable.
• Experience managing external legal counsel, litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution.
• Excellent knowledge of UAE real estate and commercial legal practices.
• Strong contract drafting, negotiation, and legal interpretation skills.
• Strong understanding of developer‑side legal risks.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to provide practical and commercially focused legal advice.
• Strong negotiation and dispute resolution skills.
• High level of confidentiality, integrity, and professional judgment.
• Ability to manage multiple complex legal matters simultaneously.
• Excellent English communication and legal drafting skills.
• Arabic language proficiency will be a strong advantage.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to work directly with the CEO and senior leadership.