Position Overview
The Head of Legal will oversee all legal matters for a prominent Abu Dhabi-based strategic investment group and its subsidiaries, which specialize in the design, development, and production of advanced military and defence systems as part of their multi polar investment portfolio. This role will be pivotal in ensuring compliance with national and international legal and regulatory requirements, managing legal risks, and providing strategic legal guidance to support corporate objectives. A key responsibility will be managing the legal transition of all group entities from a major private institutional investment group with close ties to prominent UAE business and ruling family members to an independent, stand-alone corporate structure.
Core Competencies
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge in corporate law, compliance, contract negotiation, and organizational transitions. Key qualifications are legal certifications and a strong track record in managing complex legal issues.
• 10+ years of experience in legal roles within relevant industries, with proven ability to manage cross-jurisdictional legal matters.
Freedom to Act
• Independent judgment on legal strategies, risk assessments, and compliance measures within defined parameters.
• Adapts legal strategies based on emerging regulations and internal needs.
• Operates with minimal supervision, aligning legal actions with organizational goals. Success is measured by feedback from senior leadership and legal team performance.
Job Magnitude
• Manages significant legal projects, including development of military products, cross-divisional initiatives, and entity transitions. Metrics include impact on compliance, contract management, and mitigation of legal risks.
• Plays a key role in strategic decision-making impacting legal risk management and compliance strategy. Success is measured by achieving strategic legal objectives and executive feedback.
• Complexity & Challenges: Effectively handles complex legal cases and transitions involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Successes include resolving high-stakes legal issues and maintaining regulatory compliance.
Key Responsibilities & Outcomes
• Oversee all legal matters for the group companies to ensure full compliance with regulatory and legal standards.
• Provide expert legal advice for one of the subsidiary firms specializing within military development products and the parent firm’s new projects.
• Lead contract negotiations, manage disputes, and handle litigation processes.
• Develop and implement legal policies and procedures to minimize risk and protect the organization’s interests.
• Lead the transition of all legal entities from the Investment Group to the Parent Firm.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to align legal strategies with business objectives.
• Monitor legal developments and provide proactive guidance on potential impacts to the business.
Qualifications & Experience
• Bachelor’s in Law; Master’s or equivalent legal qualification preferred.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in legal roles, preferably within industries targeting the Military/Defence equipment and R&D.
• Strong experience in military product development and project-based legal management.
• Proven success in contract negotiation, dispute resolution, compliance management, and organizational transitions.
