Legal Director

Contract and Transaction Management

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts and agreements, including those with tenants, suppliers, agents and brokers, customers, financial institutions, and HR agreements.
• Manage and oversee all aspects of real estate transactions, including due diligence, negotiations, and closings.
• Provide support for property and land sale deed preparations, agreements, drafting of all contract-related documents from a legal perspective.
• Provide guidance to the business teams on contract-related issues.

Legal Documents & Trademarks

• Manage legal templates to ensure compliance with laws and the commercial requirements of the business that minimize risk and maximize legal rights.
• Draft and review bespoke complex legal documentation, agreements, forms, and correspondence for relevant business units to ensure they are compliant with all standards, regulations, and legislation.
• Maintain and update the legal records of ARM Holding; Ensure commercial / trade licenses are regularly renewed and up to date.
• Manage ARM Holding’s trademark and domain name portfolio.
• Ensure consistency of approach and style within the standard documentation across relevant business units.

Legal Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations by keeping track of existing laws and changes to laws governing urban and rural land development and other laws of the region.
• Ensure timely communication and implementation of any changes in Law.
• Review and provide support to Human Resources team on UAE Labor Law compliance.

Litigation

• Manage any legal disputes involving the company, collaborating with external counsel when necessary.
• Develop strategies to manage contracts and litigation effectively to minimize risk and exposure of the company to claims and litigation.

Corporate Governance

• Provide advice on governance best practices and ensure corporate governance requirements are met.
• Oversee company compliance with corporate governance policies.

Vendor Selection & Management

• Manage vendor relations and appointment of external law firms where relevant whilst ensuring that the company acquires cost effective legal advice and work.
• Coordinate with external legal firms and specialists to evaluate land records and conduct thorough due diligence for all deals and transactions.
• Ensure the performance of external vendors is monitored in terms of quality / timeliness of output and any issues are highlighted / escalated and corrective actions are taken in a timely manner.

People Management

• Provide leadership within the function by establishing individual goals, overseeing performance management, cultivating team growth, delivering both formal and informal feedback, and conducting performance and talent evaluations.
• Build and promote an organization culture that encourages innovation and reward performance that leads to enhanced staff motivation and retention.

Section IV: Qualifications, Experience & Skills

Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree in law or a related field.
• Master's degree is preferred.

Experience:

• 15 years post qualification experience as an in-house legal counsel or at a Law Firm, with at least 4 years in a senior role within the Real Estate industry.
• experience in real estate law and industry knowledge that includes litigation, lease transactions, property management, and purchase and sale transactions.

Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of the UAE legislation and legal framework.
• Extensive knowledge in corporate governance / compliance.
• Excellent attention to detail and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong negotiating and influencing skills.
• Strong business and commercial acumen.
• Acute financial, risk management and legal acumen.
• Excellent decision making and analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills. Arabic is advantageous.