Job description
Role Overview
Legal Counsel – International & US Corporate Law at IOTA GROUP, an Abu Dhabi–headquartered energy and infrastructure developer. The role is based in Abu Dhabi and covers large-scale gas and LNG projects across multiple jurisdictions.
Company Overview
IOTA GROUP is an Abu Dhabi–headquartered energy and infrastructure developer active in large-scale gas and LNG projects. The company is currently developing an LNG plant, including the associated liquefaction facilities, marine infrastructure and long-term offtake arrangements with Asian and international buyers.
Role Purpose
Serve as the company's dedicated legal reference on a major LNG project spanning the UAE, United States and Asian markets. Advise senior management directly on US federal and state regulatory processes, international project finance, joint-venture structuring and long-term commercial contracts. Instruct and coordinate external US counsel and partner with project stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions.
Key Responsibilities
Regulatory & Compliance
- Navigate US federal and state regulatory processes applicable to energy and infrastructure assets.
Project Structuring & Transactions
- Advise on joint-venture structuring and entity formation across multiple jurisdictions.
- Counsel management on international project finance arrangements.
- Support negotiation and execution of long-term commercial contracts and offtake arrangements.
- Manage shareholder and joint-venture agreements.
Counsel Management & Execution
- Instruct and coordinate external US counsel across jurisdictions.
- Operate as a standalone legal function without an internal legal team.
- Advise management directly on transactions and risk.
Qualifications & Experience
- Law degree with qualification and admission in a US, European or Canadian jurisdiction.
- Minimum 8–12 years' post-qualification experience gained in an international law firm and/or the in-house legal function of an energy, LNG, oil & gas, power or large infrastructure company.
- Demonstrated involvement in at least one major capital project (LNG, midstream, power or comparable infrastructure), covering the development phase: JV and shareholder agreements, EPC contracts, land and permitting matters, offtake and transportation agreements.
- Experience with US project development and permitting processes (FERC, DOE export authorisations, state-level approvals); direct experience on a US LNG or midstream project is a distinct advantage.
- Exposure to project finance and to negotiations with international lenders, export credit agencies or equity partners.
- Track record of advising C-level management on transactions and risk, and of managing external counsel across jurisdictions.
- Admission to a US state bar is an advantage but not a requirement.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong working knowledge of US corporate law: entity structuring, joint ventures, M&A, corporate governance, and the US regulatory environment applicable to energy and infrastructure assets.
- Solid grounding in international commercial and contract law, cross-border transactions and international arbitration.
- Ability to operate independently as a legal function, advising management and taking positions without internal legal support.
- Fluent English; additional languages an asset.
- Comfortable working in a multicultural environment and within a Middle East corporate setting.
Additional Information
- Full mobility required for frequent international travel between the UAE, United States and Asia.
- Passport and visa status must permit straightforward travel to the US and Schengen area.