Senior Manager - Legal Affairs

ADGM; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 220,000 - 441,000; Full time

Job summary

ADGM is seeking an experienced legal professional to provide strategic legal advice and direction to support Executive Management. The role involves managing regulatory compliance, handling contractual negotiations, and advising OLAGC and ADGM leadership. Ideal candidates have 8–10 years’ post-qualification experience, a law degree, bar admission, and fluency in English.

Arabic would be desirable. The role requires exemplary drafting, negotiation, and leadership skills within an international

Qualifications

• Law degree from an internationally accredited university.
• Admission to the bar / practice of law in a recognised international jurisdiction.

Responsibilities

• Identify, assess and mitigate legal and commercial risks in contracts and arrangements.
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts to manage legal risk.
• Lead and participate in negotiations and execution of transactions.
• Develop and update standard terms of business and templates.
• Provide legal advice to ADGM Authority and Board of Directors.

Skills

Drafting

Negotiation

English proficiency

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Independent work

Research skills

Teamwork

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Education

Law degree

Bar admission

Tools

Legal research

Job description

Role Summar:

To provide legal and strategic advice and direction to the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and ensure ADGM’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations associated with its operations to minimise risk and facilitate efficient decision-making by Executive Management; support in the day-to-day management of OLAGC; report to the CLO, conferring on all material and strategic issues in a timely and coherent manner.

Job Description

Role Summar:

To provide legal and strategic advice and direction to the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and ensure ADGM’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations associated with its operations to minimise risk and facilitate efficient decision-making by Executive Management; support in the day-to-day management of OLAGC; report to the CLO, conferring on all material and strategic issues in a timely and coherent manner.

Operational responsibilities:

• Identifying, managing and mitigating legal and other risks in contractual and other arrangements.
• Identify, assess and mitigate legal and commercial risks in contractual and other arrangements
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts and other legal documents with a view to manage legal risk
• Active participation and overall management of the conduct of contractual negotiations and assist in execution of transactions
• Develop and update standard terms of business and standard templates
• Assist with claim management and the timely resolution of potential disputes.
• Support the conduct of any litigation or alternative dispute resolution
• Provide legal advice and support to ADGM Authority and ADGM Board of Directors as well as ad hoc advice to other ADGM Authorities
• Instruct and manage external counsel in accordance with applicable OLAGC procurement process
• Maintain awareness of the current local and international legislative and regulatory environment
• Support the implementation of ADGM’s regulations, policies, processes and procedures, ensuring that all relevant
• procedural/legislative requirements are fulfilled while delivering quality and cost-effective service
• Ensure solid understanding of, and contribution to, OLAGC and ADGM values, strategies, policies and procedures
• Assist in improvement and management of processes and procedures for OLAGC legal team

Managerial:

• Support an environment where team members consistently drive to improve performance
• Support management of the team to achieve overall OLAGC and ADGM objectives
• Support management by effectively empowering team members
• Take responsibility for mentoring junior members of the team to facilitate their career progression
• Review performance of junior team members and address all performance issues fairly and constructively

Information Security related:

• Understand, adopt, adhere and practice responsibilities or controls as per ADGM Information Security policy and as per best practices explained in the induction and awareness sessions.
• Confidentiality, Integrity and availability of the ADGM Information shall be maintained at all times i.e. within as well as outside ADGM.

Job Qualifications:

Education and Professional Certification:

• Law degree from an internationally accredited university or equivalent
• Admission to the bar / practice of law in a recognised international jurisdiction (with a preference for common law qualification)

Work Experience:

• Minimum 8 -10 years’ post-qualification experience in:
• an internationally recognised law firm; or
• an in-house legal function in a UAE or multi-national company in a complementary sector
• Relevant experience preferably in general corporate/commercial practice areas

Essential Technical Skills:

• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills
• Communication skills (fluent English essential; Arabic desirable)
• Ability to liaise effectively, and coordinate with, internal teams and external service providers (at the international and local level)
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, along with the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with
• stakeholders at all levels of seniority
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision
• Excellent planning, organising and time management skills
• Ability to produce highly accurate work demonstrating attention to detail
• Analytical mind-set and strong problem-solving skills
• A result driven approach with the ability to take the initiative to achieve these results
• Teamwork and knowledge sharing, including excellent research skills
• Intercultural sensitivity

About Us

The ADGM Authority is mandated to facilitate the achievement of ADGM’s vision to be one of the world’s foremost international financial centers. The Authority brings together strategic and support functions to ensure the continued provision of best-in-class services, enabling the development of ADGM as a whole. It plays a pivotal role in driving ADGM’s growth by leveraging emerging trends across the international financial services sector and the developments associated with the post-pandemic world.

About The Team

Abu Dhabi Global Market is an award-winning international financial centre strategically located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Established by UAE Federal Decree, ADGM’s jurisdiction extends across the entire 114 hectares of Al Maryah Island.

ADGM's three independent authorities - the Registration Authority (RA), the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and ADGM Courts - together ensure that its business-friendly environment operates in line with international best practices, recognised by major financial centres worldwide.