Vice President - Legal Counsel (Corporate)

Aldar; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Group is seeking an experienced legal counsel in Abu Dhabi. The successful candidate will review commercial contracts, provide legal advice, and support various teams. This role requires a strong legal background, particularly in UAE laws, and a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.

The candidate will independently manage communications, negotiate with external parties, and ensure compliance with internal governance. Applicants must demonstrate high professional ethics and a keen interest in legal AI.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of related experience in legal services.
• Common law qualified and preferably experienced in UAE.
• Proven experience as legal counsel in a business environment.

Responsibilities

• Review various commercial contracts and legal documents.
• Support corporate procurement with contract reviews.
• Provide strategic legal advice for key business initiatives.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Drafting skills

Attention to detail

Education

Law Degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Purpose

• Review a wide range of commercial contracts including sponsorship agreements, franchise agreements and outsourcing arrangements (including technology)
• Review a variety of legal documents and provide legal advice to the wider Aldar business in order to mitigate legal risk
• Provide strategic legal advice in relation to key business initiatives and provide advice in relation to documentation structure of key transactions

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the corporate procurement team with template production, contract review and negotiation and training needs
• Support the technology teams in relation to contract reviews and new initiatives
• Autonomously review a variety of commercial agreements from end user departments. Agreements may include outsourcing arrangements, marketing arrangements, sponsorship arrangements, space activation agreements, consultancy and services agreements, technology agreements, MOUs, franchise agreements etc.
• Provide accurate and timely legal advice to end user departments with a commercial slant
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders
• Appoint external law firms where required, provide clear legal instructions, manage them throughout transaction negotiations and manage associated external legal spend
• Comply with relevant internal governance documentation
• Research and evaluate different risks regarding business decisions and operations
• Apply effective risk management techniques and offer proactive advice on potential legal risks
• Communicate and negotiate with external parties as required
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant legal updates and laws
• Co-ordinate, follow up and monitor the progress of active matters
• Prioritise work effectively and efficiently and manage end user expectations
• Maintain accurate records of advice provided and documents negotiated
• Maintain high levels of professionalism and attention to detail
• Demonstrate an active interest in legal AI

Qualification & Skills

• Law Degree or equivalent legal conversion qualification
• Common law qualified
• Min of 10+ years of related experience in legal services
• Preferably with experience as an in-house lawyer in the UAE with experience of commercial contract reviews (including technology contracts)
• Proven experience as a legal counsel in a business environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant UAE laws and ability to undertake independent research
• Excellent analytical, drafting and negotiation skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity