Head of Legal (Group General Counsel)

About The GroupOur client is a privately held investment holding group with operating businesses and investment vehicles across the UAE, the UK and several other jurisdictions. The group holds a diversified portfolio of companies across different sectors and is growing through new acquisitions and further investment in its existing businesses. It currently operates under a mainland licence in the UAE. This is a rare opportunity to join at a formative stage, with direct access to the CEO and Board and the chance to shape the group's legal foundations.The RoleThe Head of Legal will be the group's most senior lawyer, reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Board. It is a hands-on role, from structuring through to completion, and the postholder will also set up the group's legal, risk and compliance function.Transactions and StructuringLead acquisitions, disposals, mergers, joint ventures and restructurings across the group's UK, UAE and international holdings, covering structuring, due diligence, negotiation, documentation and post-completion mattersAdvise on the right legal and ownership structure for new investments and reorganisationsDraft, review and negotiate shareholder agreements, financing documents, transaction agreements and the group's key commercial contractsRisk, Compliance and GovernanceAct as adviser on corporate, commercial and regulatory mattersBuild a group compliance framework covering UAE mainland and free zone entities (including DIFC and ADGM where relevant), UK company law obligations and any sector regulation that applies to the businessesIdentify and manage legal and regulatory risk across the group and its different jurisdictions as and when requiredExternal Counsel and DisputesSelect, instruct and manage law firms in each jurisdiction, keeping the quality of advice consistent and legal spend under controlSet the strategy on disputes and litigation, working with local counsel and seeing matters through to resolutionBuilding the FunctionIntroduce the templates, approval processes and standards the group needs, and recruit and develop the legal team as the portfolio growsRequirementsEssentialQualified as a solicitor or barrister in England & Wales, or in another common law jurisdictionAt least 15 years' PQE in corporate and commercial law, with substantial M&A and cross-border investment experienceA track record of leading transactions from start to finish, not just supporting themWorking knowledge of UK and UAE law as it applies to M&A, corporate structuring and holding company governance, including the UAE mainland, free zone (DIFC, ADGM) and offshore regimesExperience instructing law firms across several jurisdictions and managing a legal budgetStrong drafting and negotiation skills and fluent EnglishSound judgement and discretionDesirableA previous role as General Counsel or Head of Legal in a holding company, family office, private equity platform or the investment arm of a bankExperience of working in an owner-managed or majority-shareholder businessPost-acquisition integration experienceBenefitsCompetitive remuneration package commensurate with seniority and experience, to be discussed with shortlisted candidatesBased in Dubai, with regular travel to the UK and other countries where the group operatesA broad mandate covering M&A, JVs, governance, compliance and commercial work across several sectors and jurisdictionsThe chance to build the group's legal function largely from scratch