Legal Group Manager

Overview:

Provision of commercially focused guidance, advice and assistance to the company's Digital Technology division over a broad range of legal and compliance matters (including handling information technology, intellectual property, data and e-commerce matters).

First line support for SeaRates FZE legal matters.

The job holder is a key member of the company's Technology legal team. The job holder is required to provide guidance and advice in respect of legal queries or issues in relation to commercial contracts.

The job holder shall ensure that reliable, commercially focused advice is provided in an efficient and effective manner. The majority of the job holder’s time will be spent at head office in Dubai.

Specific tasks will include but are not limited to:

• User/customer terms and conditions, and contracts
• IT vendor contracts (incl. software licenses, services, maintenance, SLAs)
• E-commerce contracts (incl. EDI, partnerships, e-payment contracts)
• Specific projects incl. partnerships with government authorities/users, expansion into new territories/markets, and development of new products/services
• Vendor/partner terms and contracts (for the company's e-commerce platforms)
• NDAs/MOUs/LOIs for new initiatives/expansions
• Internal agreements (licenses, SLAs etc) within the company's divisions

Key Accountabilities:

• Provide effective, reliable and user-friendly support, advice and assistance to Digital Technology team on commercial contract transactions. Focused support for SeaRates FZE
• Review, draft and negotiate a broad range of legal documents (including specifically information technology, intellectual property, data and e-commerce related agreements/terms), ensuring that legal and compliance requirements are met within such documents
• Make clear and commercially focused recommendations in respect of commercial contract issues. Effective escalations of non-standard aspects in commercial contracts
• Act as a liaison between commercial colleagues and Group Director - Legal. Provide effective reporting to Group Legal Director, SVP Digital Technology and Digital Technology finance team
• Act as an ambassador for the company at all times when working; promoting and demonstrating positive behaviours in harmony with the company’s Principles, values and culture; ensuring the highest level of safety is applied in all activities; understanding and following the company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics policies
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Law Degree from an accredited university
• Qualification to practice law from a recognised legal regulatory body
• Minimum 4 years post qualification experience in an internationally recognised law firm and/or multinational company but consideration will be given to those with different PQE. Preferably experience working in the Middle East region
• Enthusiasm for information technology, intellectual property, data and e-commerce matters, and preferably also international trade and logistics
• Commercial awareness and understanding of business needs (including awareness and sensitivity to differing international legal and cultural business practices, and the flexibility to work within different cultural environments)
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills
• Ability to effectively negotiate legal issues and transaction documentation with counterparties
• Good communication and inter-personal skills
• Good English working ability and drafting skills
• Preferably knowledge of English/common law and UAE law