Senior Legal Counsel

Role Overview

Senior Legal Counsel at Du, located in the UAE. The role is the primary legal contact to the commercial divisions responsible for the provision of telecommunications services to international carriers. The job holder reports to the Senior Director – Legal Counsel Commercial.

Role Purpose

Provide comprehensive legal support to Enterprise and Commercial business units, with a focus on commercial contracts, ICT-related agreements, and sensitive security and data matters. Act as the focal legal contact for commercial divisions and serve as a key member of the wider Commercial Legal team.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial & Enterprise Legal Support

• Act as the focal legal contact for Enterprise and Commercial matters, including ICT-related agreements such as partnerships, manpower agreements, and other commercial arrangements as required.
• Provide practical, commercially focused legal advice to relevant business units.

Contract Drafting & Negotiation

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of legal documentation and contracts for relevant business units.
• Manage commercial and enterprise agreements, ICT and technology-related contracts, partnership and manpower agreements, data sharing agreements, and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
• Draft, review, and manage Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), including management of NDA and MOU automation processes.
• Draft, review, and update General Terms and Conditions (GTCs) and other standard legal templates on a periodic basis.
• Ensure contracts align with internal policies, commercial objectives, and risk management principles.
• Negotiate commercial contracts with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach.

Data, Security & Sensitive Matters

• Provide legal support on sensitive security-related matters and confidentiality issues.
• Draft, review, and manage data sharing agreements, ensuring appropriate protection of company and third-party data.
• Maintain a high level of discretion when handling sensitive and confidential matters.

Legal Advisory & Governance

• Provide general legal advisory support across the organization on matters as required.
• Identify legal and commercial risks and propose practical, business-oriented solutions.
• Act within the framework of Legal Department policies and processes in a legal advisory capacity.

Training, Policies & Process Development

• Assist in the development and delivery of legal training and awareness initiatives for relevant business units.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Legal Department policies, processes, procedures, and systems.

External Counsel Management

• Coordinate and manage external legal counsel when required, ensuring quality, cost control, and alignment with business needs.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB or equivalent) from a recognized institution.
• Minimum 7–10 years of relevant experience in an in-house legal role and/or a law firm in the UAE, with a strong focus on commercial contracts.
• Experience supporting ICT, technology, partnerships, and data-related agreements.
• Experience within the telecommunications industry is desirable but not essential.
• Must be able to work independently and be part of a wider legal team.
• Must be able to effectively engage with key stakeholders.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong English language legal drafting skills, as well as written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluency in Arabic desirable but not essential.
• Sound understanding of commercial, ICT and technology, confidentiality, and data-related legal issues.
• Commercial focus, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented approach.
• Commercially pragmatic, solution-oriented, and risk-aware mindset.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with business teams.
• Team player with an ability to relate well to others.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strategic thinking capability.
• Negotiation skills for commercial contracts.

Additional Information

• Scope to undertake broader commercial legal work if desired.