Senior Legal Counsel – Commercial

MENA Recruit Pty Ltd; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A large growing regional group in Dubai seeks a Senior Legal Counsel (Commercial) to support various business units in commercial transactions and corporate projects. Ideal candidates have over 5 years of relevant experience, ideally in-house, and must be based in the UAE. The role includes drafting and negotiating agreements alongside advising on governance matters. Salary ranges from AED 50,000 to 60,000 per month.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years PQE with strong commercial and regional (GCC/MENA) experience.
• 1-2 years of in-house experience in a large commercial organisation or corporate group.
• Must be based in the UAE.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements and contracts.
• Advising management on corporate governance and regulatory matters.
• Managing external counsel to ensure cost-effective legal support.

Skills

Commercially minded

Pragmatic

Confident in fast-paced environments

Education

Common law qualified (UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or South Africa)

Trained at a top-tier international law firm

Job description

We are representing a large, fast-growing regional group with diversified operations across real estate, investments, and commercial ventures. The organisation is known for its dynamic environment and expanding footprint across the GCC.

The Senior Legal Counsel (Commercial) will play a strategic and operational role in supporting business units on a wide range of commercial transactions and corporate projects. The position offers significant exposure to cross‑functional work within a sophisticated in‑house legal environment.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements, joint ventures, procurement, supply, and service contracts.
• Advising management on commercial, corporate governance, and regulatory matters.
• Managing external counsel and ensuring consistent, cost‑effective legal support.
• Supporting internal stakeholders on commercial operations, compliance, and contract risk.
• Contributing to internal policy frameworks, templates, and process improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Common law qualified (UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or South Africa).
• Trained at a top‑tier international law firm (Magic Circle, Silver Circle, or comparable).
• Minimum 5 years PQE, with strong commercial and regional (GCC/MENA) experience.
• Holding 1–2 years of in‑house experience in a large commercial organisation or corporate group.
• Commercially minded, pragmatic, and confident operating in a fast‑paced environment.
• Must be in the UAE.
• Ideally, can join within 1–2 months.
• Preferred exposure: Funds, finance (including Islamic/Sharia‑compliant), or real estate transactions.

Salary

Salary: AED 50,000 to 60,000 per month, inclusive of fixed allowances.

Key Demographic Requirements

• Based in the UAE