Senior Manager - Legal

Caliberly; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company in Dubai is seeking a Senior Manager - Legal to lead the legal function. This role requires overseeing corporate and commercial legal matters, ensuring compliance with regulations, and mitigating legal risks. The successful candidate will have 8-12 years of legal experience and must possess strong skills in contract negotiation and compliance. This leadership position offers competitive compensation and an opportunity to influence business strategy within a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Performance-based incentives

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• 8-12 years of legal experience within corporate legal departments or law firms.
• Strong understanding of corporate, commercial, and compliance law.
• Proven experience in managing disputes and litigation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the legal function, providing strategic legal counsel.
• Review and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts.
• Ensure compliance with local and international laws.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation skills

Legal risk mitigation

Compliance knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB)

Advanced degree (LLM) or certification

Job description

Job Title -Senior Manager - Legal

About the Role

You will lead the legal function by providing strategic legal counsel, managing corporate and commercial legal matters, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and mitigating legal risk across the business. This role combines deep legal expertise with strong business acumen partnering with executive leadership, operations, HR, sales, and compliance teams to protect the company's interests and support sustainable growth in a complex industrial and manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate & Commercial Legal Support

Review, draft, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including supply agreements, distribution contracts, NDAs, service agreements, and vendor contracts.

Provide legal guidance to business units on contractual terms, risk mitigation, and strategic decisions.

Ensure contracts protect business interests and align with corporate policies.

Compliance, Governance & Risk Management

Ensure compliance with local and international laws, regulations, and industry standards, including corporate governance, labor, environmental, and safety laws.

Monitor changes in legislation, assess impact on business operations, and recommend proactive action plans.

Manage legal risk by advising on exposures and implementing risk mitigation strategies.

Dispute Resolution & Litigation Management

Lead the management of disputes, claims, and litigation matters, including coordination with external counsel.

Prepare legal strategy, position papers, and assist in resolution of complex disputes efficiently.

Represent the business in legal proceedings, as required, while protecting the organizations interests.

Intellectual Property & Asset Protection

Oversee protection of intellectual property assets, including trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Manage IP registrations, renewals, infringement issues, and enforcement actions.

Advise on licensing, technology agreements, and IP portfolio strategy.

Policy Development & Internal Legal Frameworks

Develop and maintain internal legal policies, playbooks, and compliance frameworks for various business functions.

Ensure internal guidelines reflect best practices and mitigate legal exposure.

Provide training and guidance to employees on legal, compliance, and ethical matters.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Strategic Transactions

Support due diligence, negotiation, and legal structuring for mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.

Draft and review transactional documents, shareholder agreements, and governance frameworks.

Coordinate with external advisors, finance, and business leaders to ensure legal soundness of strategic deals.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership

Work closely with executive leadership, finance, HR, operations, and commercial teams to align legal strategy with business goals.

Provide legal input on procurement, regulatory affairs, manufacturing contracts, and supply chain matters.

Mentor and guide junior legal staff, fostering a high-performance legal team.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelors degree in Law (LLB or equivalent). Advanced degree (LLM) or professional certification is an advantage.

Minimum 812 years of legal experience within in-house legal departments, law firms, or corporate counsel roles preferably in manufacturing, industrial, or related sectors.

Strong contract drafting, negotiation, and commercial legal skills.

Thorough understanding of corporate, commercial, employment, intellectual property, and compliance law.

Proven experience managing disputes, litigation, and legal risk mitigation.

Familiarity with cross-border legal frameworks, international trade, and regulatory compliance.

Excellent communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.

Ability to influence and partner with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

Prior experience in M&A, joint ventures, or strategic transactions is a strong plus.

Key Competencies & Behaviours

Strong business and commercial acumen

Strategic legal thinking and decisive judgment

Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills

Problem-solving capability with attention to detail

Leadership presence and ability to mentor legal team

Professional integrity, ethics, and confidentiality

Ability to perform under pressure and manage complexity

Collaborative mindset and strong interpersonal skills

Adaptability to evolving regulatory and business environments

What We Offer

Leadership role with direct influence on business strategy and legal governance

Competitive compensation with performance-based incentives

Exposure to complex manufacturing and industrial legal matters

Cross-functional collaboration with senior leadership

Supportive and growth-focused work environment

Opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement

Apply now!