Principal Legal Counsel

OQ; Muscat; On-site; OMR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

OQ is seeking a senior technical legal authority to advise on complex commercial, regulatory and operational matters. You will lead legal workstreams for major transactions and high‑risk contracts, while mentoring others in the team and aligning guidance with group policies and international best practices.

You will review opinions, manage disputes, and coordinate with external counsel to protect the organization’s interests in a fast‑paced environment based in Muscat.

Qualifications

• LLB or equivalent from a reputable university and bar admission.
• 10–12 years of experience in law firms or in-house legal/compliance.
• Extensive drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex agreements.
• Experience supporting strategic projects, disputes and risk mitigation.
• Strong understanding of laws, regulations and commercial practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on complex commercial, regulatory and operational matters.
• Lead major acquisitions, restructurings, joint ventures and financing arrangements.
• Draft, review, negotiate and execute complex contracts and documentation.
• Coordinate external counsel and mentor junior team members.
• Develop legal guidance, templates and best practices to improve effectiveness.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Mentoring

Confidentiality

Decision making

Education

LLB or equivalent

Job description

Reporting to

Manager Legal

Direct Reports

0

Job purpose

Act as a senior technical legal authority, providing expert advice and leading complex, sensitive and strategically significant legal matters. Accountable for the delivery of legal support of major transactions, high-risk contractual arrangements and material legal disputes. Accountable for the delivery of legal support on major transaction, high-risk contractual arrangements and material legal disputes, while providing technical guidance, quality review and mentoring to other legal professionals. The position will act in accordance with the Group’s Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, as well as, policies, guidelines, and standards, supported by an IT Technology platform, HSE standards, Omani’s government & other legal justifications, and best international practices in consonance with national objectives.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on complex commercial, contractual, regulatory, and operational matters.
• Advise on the legal implications of strategic business decisions, including alternative transaction structures and associated risk allocation.
• Develop legal strategies for managing material disputes, contentious matters and complex contractual exposures.
• Review and provide technical challenge on significant legal advice, legal opinions and contractual positions prepared by other team members.
• Lead legal workstreams on major acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, restructuring, financing arrangements and other strategic transactions, as assigned
• Lead the drafting, review, negotiation, and execution of complex agreements and legal documentation.
• Support major transactions, investments, partnerships, financing arrangements, and strategic projects.
• Conduct legal assessments and provide recommendations to support management decision-making.
• Interpret laws, regulations, and legal developments and advise stakeholders on business implications.
• Identify legal risks and develop mitigation strategies to protect the organization's interests.
• Lead legal due diligence activities and assess legal exposures and obligations.
• Manage complex contractual disputes, claims, and legal issues.
• Coordinate, direct and challenge external legal counsel on specialized legal matters.
• Develop legal guidance, templates, and best practices to strengthen legal consistency.
• Review and validate legal analyses and recommendations prepared by junior team members.
• Coach and mentor Legal team members.
• Identify opportunities to improve legal effectiveness and support business objectives.

Key interactions

Internal: OQ SAOC Streams & Assets

Notable Working Conditions. Office environment, intensive computer screen use, sporadic visits to operation site.

Education requirements

• LLB or equivalent from a reputable university or law school with admission to a recognized civil or common law Bar (or equivalent body), in other words, qualified as a lawyer/solicitor/barrister.

Language

Excellent written and spoken English is a must.

Background and experience

Competencies and skills

• A minimum of 10-12 years of experience with a recognized law firm and/or in-house legal and compliance function within a recognised corporate entity
• Extensive experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Experience supporting strategic projects, transactions, disputes, and legal risk mitigation initiatives.
• Experience supporting strategic investments, mergers and acquisitions, and financing transactions, including legal due diligence, transaction structuring, negotiation and documentation.
• Strong understanding of applicable laws, regulations, and commercial legal practices.

Soft:

• Ability to think strategically and align legal advice with business priorities.
• Ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders on complex legal matters.
• Strong negotiation and relationship management capabilities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in high-risk and ambiguous situations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop legal talent.
• Demonstrates the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ability to provide expert legal advice on complex commercial and regulatory matters.
• Ability to lead negotiations and develop commercially sound legal solutions.
• Strong knowledge of contract law, regulatory requirements, and legal risk management.
• Ability to assess complex legal risks and recommend effective mitigation strategies.
• Ability to support strategic transactions, disputes, investigations, and business initiatives.
• Ability to interpret legislative and regulatory developments and advise on business implications.
• Ability to establish legal standards, guidance, and best practices.