Senior Legal Counsel (Reporting to General Counsel)

Mackinnon Mackenzie & Co of Pakistan; Qatar; On-site; QAR 360,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Mackinnon Mackenzie & Co of Pakistan in GCC seeks a Senior Legal Counsel (Reporting to General Counsel) to lead compliance, contracts and litigation initiatives within the Power Plant division.

The role demands a law degree (MBA preferred), English proficiency, Arabic a significant plus, and 12 years in similar roles with 5+ years in management. Strong leadership and strategic risk management are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law or related field with MBA preferred.
• Proficiency in English is required; Arabic is a significant plus.
• Twelve years of experience in similar roles in large companies; at least five years in progressively senior management roles.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth legal research to identify changes in laws and regulations impacting the company and compliance strategies.
• Lead implementation of new compliance protocols and monitor effectiveness across the organization.
• Oversee drafting and reviewing contracts and corporate policies for alignment with legal standards.
• Coordinate litigation support and manage legal projects with external counsel.
• Develop and implement department strategy aligned with company objectives and leadership expectations.
• Drive leadership and performance within the legal team and manage budgets and governance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

English proficiency

Arabic awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business or similar discipline, MBA preferred

Job description

Job Title: Senior Legal Counsel (Reporting to General Counsel)

Location: GCC, GCC

Department: Power Plant

Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business or similar discipline from a reputable university with a preference for MBA holders
• Proficiency in English (must) and Arabic (significant plus)
• Good understanding of Qatar and GCC culture and working environment

Experience: 12 years of experience in similar roles in large companies, including at least 5 years of progressively increasing managerial responsibilities, demonstrating effective leadership skills.

Legal Analysis and Compliance

• Manage in-depth legal research activities to identify relevant changes in laws and regulations that could impact the company, its joint ventures, and independent power producers. Provide actionable insights and recommendations for compliance strategies.
• Lead the implementation of new compliance protocols and guidelines across the organization. Monitor their effectiveness and suggest improvements to ensure continuous adherence to legal standards.

Lead regular audits of organizational practices against compliance standards and legal requirements. Identify risk areas and develop mitigation strategies to prevent legal disputes and enhance compliance.

Contract and Document Oversight

• Lead and manage the initial drafting and detailed review of various contracts and agreements. Ensure that all documents align with legal and corporate standards before escalating to the General Counsel for final approval.
• Actively participate in the creation and revision of corporate policies and procedures. Ensure these documents reflect the latest legal requirements and business objectives.

Engage in the negotiation of contract terms with partners and suppliers. Ensure favorable terms while maintaining compliance with legal standards and protecting the company’s interests.

Litigation & Legal Project Management

• Manage the preparation of all documentation required for litigation and dispute resolution processes, including compiling evidence, drafting briefs, and liaising with external counsel.
• Serve as the primary contact for external legal advisors and services, coordinating all interactions and ensuring that external teams are well-informed and aligned with the company’s legal strategies.
• Lead specific legal projects or initiatives as directed by the General Counsel, including managing cross‑departmental teams, overseeing timelines, and ensuring deliverables meet strategic goals.

Strategy Formulation, Implementation and Planning

• Develop and direct the implementation of the department strategy ensuring alignment with the divisional strategy, the company’s vision, mission and corporate objectives.
• Ensure that department strategy and related strategic plans are developed and implemented, aligning with the organization’s vision and mission.

Provide subject‑matter expertise for the assigned domain and counsel the company leadership on all related areas to facilitate the achievement of the company’s strategy and divisional strategies.

Leadership

Manage the effective achievement of departmental objectives through effective leadership, setting individual objectives, managing performance, and developing and motivating the team to maximize performance.

Budgeting and Financial Performance

• Key decisions significantly impacting the Legal division are referred to the General Counsel for approval before implementation.
• Job holder exercises authority as per the level established by the company board and stipulated in the authority matrix.