Director of Legal Affairs- Emirati

We are hiring an experienced Director of Legal Affairs (Grade 16) to lead and oversee all legal, regulatory, compliance, and governance matters across the organization.Legal Leadership & GovernanceLead the Legal Affairs Department and provide strategic legal advice to executive management.Develop and oversee legal governance frameworks, policies, regulations, and compliance programs.Ensure organizational compliance with UAE federal, local, regional, and international laws.Advise on legal risks, regulatory changes, and strategic business initiatives.Legal Advisory & Risk ManagementReview, draft, and negotiate contracts, agreements, MoUs, and legal documents.Manage complex litigation, disputes, investigations, and regulatory matters.Assess legal risks and provide practical solutions to safeguard organizational interests.Represent the organization before courts, government entities, regulators, and external stakeholders.Strategy & Performance ManagementAlign departmental objectives with organizational strategy and priorities.Establish and monitor KPIs, operational plans, and performance targets.Drive continuous improvement, operational excellence, and legal best practices.Support executive leadership in strategic decision-making and governance matters.Leadership & People ManagementLead, mentor, and develop legal teams to achieve high-performance standards.Oversee workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development initiatives.Manage employee performance, capability building, and professional development.Financial & Resource ManagementPrepare, manage, and monitor the department's annual budget.Ensure efficient utilization of financial, human, and technical resources.Report on departmental performance, budget utilization, and legal risk exposure.Stakeholder ManagementPartner with senior government officials, regulatory bodies, and key stakeholders.Participate in executive committees, governance boards, and advisory councils.Foster strong relationships with internal departments, external legal counsel, and government authorities.Transformation & Continuous ImprovementLead legal transformation initiatives and modernization of legal processes.Promote innovation, future readiness, and adoption of global legal best practices.Drive knowledge management, organizational excellence, and continuous improvement programs.Supports vision of operational excellence, governance, and global competitiveness.

Requirements

• Emirati (Mandatory)
• Bachelor's degree in law (Mandatory)
• Postgraduate qualification/professional legal certification preferred
• Minimum 15 years of progressive legal experience with leadership responsibility
• Strong expertise in commercial & corporate contracts, litigation, dispute resolution, compliance, and UAE legal frameworks
• Proven ability to advise executive management and senior stakeholders
• Fluent in Arabic and English