Senior M&A Counsel (iGaming)

Black Pen Recruitment; Dubai; On-site; AED 550,000 - 735,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Senior M&A Counsel to join their Global Corporate Legal team in Dubai. The successful candidate will lead all legal aspects of M&A transactions, providing strategic guidance and ensuring successful execution. This role requires extensive experience in handling complex international deals and excellent negotiation skills. The position offers a hybrid work arrangement and support for potential relocation.

Qualifications

• Qualified to practice law in a major jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 8-12 years of post-qualification experience focused on M&A.
• Deep expertise in drafting and negotiating transaction documents.

Responsibilities

• Lead all legal aspects of M&A transactions from start to finish.
• Draft and negotiate complex legal agreements.
• Provide counsel on transaction structures and negotiation strategies.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Project management

Commercial acumen

Interpersonal skills

Education

LL.B., J.D., or equivalent law degree

Admission to the Bar

Job description

Our client believes in the power of Virtual Advancement—leveraging digital innovation and strategic foresight to help businesses excel in a rapidly evolving world. With a focus on agility and adaptability, they work alongside organisations to simplify complexity, enhance operations, and implement strategies that foster long-term success.

Their team partners with startups, SMEs, and large enterprises across various industries, enabling clients to harness technology, data, and strategic insight to gain sustainable competitive advantage. From expanding into new markets to building resilient financial roadmaps, our client serves as a trusted advisor committed to creating meaningful impact Whether the goal is operational optimisation or future-focused growth, our client delivers the clarity and capability needed to navigate change and lead with confidence.

Role Overview

Our client is seeking an accomplished and highly strategic Senior M&A Counsel to join their Global Corporate Legal team. This senior-level position is integral to driving the company's inorganic growth strategy through mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic investments on a global scale. The ideal candidate will have extensive, end-to-end experience leading complex international transactions. Reporting to the Head of Corporate Legal, you will act as a primary legal advisor and project manager for all phases of the M&A lifecycle, from initial target identification and due diligence through to negotiation, closing, and post-merger integration. This role demands a lawyer with exceptional commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and the ability to operate independently in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Job type: Full Time/Permanent

Workplace: Hybrid

Relocation to Thailand, Dubai or Malta is supported

Requirements

• Qualified to practice law in a major common law or civil law jurisdiction (e.g., UK, USA, EU member state, etc.).
• LL.B., J.D., or equivalent law degree from a top-tier university.
• Admission to the Bar in a recognized jurisdiction.
• An MBA or other advanced degree in business or finance would be an asset but is not required.
• A minimum of 8-12 years of significant post-qualification experience (PQE) focused on public and private M&A, with substantial experience gained at a top-tier international law firm. In-house M&A experience at a multinational corporation is a strong plus.
• Proven track record of leading complex, cross-border M&A transactions throughout the entire deal lifecycle.
• Deep expertise in drafting and negotiating sophisticated transaction documents.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to understand and advise on the commercial and financial drivers of a transaction.
• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple projects and workstreams in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of building strong relationships and advising senior executives with confidence and clarity.
• A high degree of professional ethics, integrity, and sound judgment.

Responsibilities

Transaction Execution and Management

• Lead and manage all legal aspects of M&A and investment transactions from start to finish, including structuring, due diligence, negotiation, and closing.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of complex legal agreements, including letters of intent (LOIs), term sheets, share purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, joint venture agreements, and shareholder agreements.
• Oversee and coordinate the due diligence process, working closely with internal business teams (e.g., Finance, HR, Tech) and external advisors to identify, analyze, and mitigate legal and commercial risks.
• Provide clear and pragmatic counsel to senior leadership and business development teams on transaction structures, key deal terms, and negotiation strategies.

Strategic Advisory and Pipeline Development

• Partner with the corporate development team to evaluate potential acquisition targets, joint venture partners, and strategic investment opportunities.
• Provide early-stage legal and structural advice on potential deals to ensure alignment with the company's long-term strategic goals.
• Stay abreast of market trends in M&A, and advise on deal structures and terms prevalent in the technology, gaming, and digital sectors.

Post-Closing Integration and Portfolio Management

• Manage the legal aspects of post-merger integration, ensuring a smooth transition of the acquired business, its assets, and employees in compliance with all legal requirements.
• Assist in managing the legal affairs of acquired entities and joint ventures within the corporate portfolio.
• Develop and continuously improve M&A playbooks, templates, and internal processes to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the company’s deal execution capabilities.