General Counsel

SummaryWe are seeking an experienced and commercially minded General Counsel to lead the legal function for a leading oil & gas organization. This role will provide strategic legal guidance to the executive leadership team, ensuring compliance, risk mitigation, and robust governance across all business operations.The successful candidate must bring significant experience within the oil & gas / energy sector, ideally within the GCC.Key ResponsibilitiesLead and manage the company’s legal function, providing strategic legal advice to the CEO, Board, and senior leadership teamOversee all legal matters including corporate, commercial, regulatory, and compliance across upstream, midstream, and/or downstream operationsDraft, review, and negotiate complex contracts (EPC, joint ventures, concession agreements, supply and service contracts)Ensure full compliance with local, regional, and international laws and regulationsAdvise on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and large-scale energy projectsManage disputes, litigation, and arbitration mattersEstablish and maintain strong corporate governance frameworksLead and develop the internal legal team and manage external counsel relationshipsSupport risk management initiatives across the organizationWork closely with compliance, finance, HR, and operations teams to ensure alignment on legal and regulatory mattersKey RequirementsQualified lawyer (LLB / JD), with additional legal qualifications preferred (LLM or equivalent)15+ years of legal experience, with significant exposure to the oil & gas / energy sectorProven experience operating at General Counsel / Head of Legal / Legal Director levelStrong knowledge of GCC legal frameworks, particularly UAE regulationsExtensive experience in commercial contracts, projects, and regulatory compliance within energyDemonstrated leadership experience managing legal teamsStrong stakeholder management and ability to influence senior leadership