Legal Manager

Katrina Factory FZE; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 300,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Katrina Factory FZE is seeking an experienced Legal Manager / Head of Legal Department to spearhead legal, regulatory and compliance activities across retail, manufacturing, and international operations. This hands-on leader will own existing processes, build and mentor a legal team, and serve as a strategic partner to management in a fast-paced multi-entity environment in the UAE.

The role encompasses commercial contracts, licensing, disputes, corporate governance, IP and financing matters,

Qualifications

• Law degree or equivalent legal education mandatory.
• Fluent English required.
• Minimum 6 years experience in-house or in international legal consulting.
• Strong background in commercial, corporate, regulatory, and trade law.
• Proven leadership and people management experience.
• Ability to work independently in a multi-entity environment.
• Russian language is an advantage.
• UAE/GCC experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the legal department, set standards and processes.
• Oversee commercial contracts, risk positions, and terms.
• Supervise disputes, claims, terminations, and settlements.
• Manage regulatory licensing, permits, and authority responses.
• Support consumer, franchising, and marketing compliance.
• Oversee corporate governance, filings, IP, and financing docs.
• Maintain compliance frameworks (KYC, sanctions) and controls.

Skills

Leadership

In-house/International

Commercial law

Regulatory and trade law

Fluent English

Russian language (adv)

Education

Law degree

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Legal Manager / Head of Legal Department to lead and oversee all legal, regulatory and compliance matters across multiple business units, including retail, manufacturing, international trade, franchising and corporate structures.

This role requires a hands‑on legal leader who can take full ownership of existing legal processes, manage and develop a legal team, and act as a strategic partner to management in a fast‑paced international environment.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Leadership & Governance

Lead and develop the in‑house legal team, set legal standards and processes, and act as the primary legal advisor to senior management.

Commercial Contract Oversight

Oversee and approve commercial contracts (leases, suppliers, customers, export), key risk positions, non‑standard terms, and contract escalation matters.

Disputes & Risk Management

Supervise handling of disputes, claims, non‑payment, terminations, and settlements, and advise management on legal risk mitigation.

Regulatory, Licensing & Authorities

Oversee trade licences, permits, regulatory compliance, inspections, fines, and authority correspondence; approve regulatory legal positions.

Consumer, Franchise & Marketing Compliance

Supervise legal support for consumer complaints, franchise matters, and review of marketing and advertising compliance.

Corporate, IP & Financing

Oversee corporate governance, filings, resolutions, IP portfolio management, and bank financing documentation and negotiations.

Compliance, Projects & Controls

Oversee compliance frameworks (KYC, sanctions), manufacturing/export compliance, construction and lease matters, and legal document control.

Requirements

• Law degree / legal education (mandatory)
• Fluent English (mandatory)
• 6+ years experience in-house or in international legal consulting
• Strong background in commercial, corporate, regulatory, and trade law
• Proven leadership and people management experience
• Ability to work independently in a multi‑entity environment
• Russian language is an advantage
• UAE/GCC experience preferred