Senior Manager - Legal Affairs

Role Overview

Senior Manager - Legal Affairs at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Company Overview

Abu Dhabi Global Market is an award-winning international financial centre strategically located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Established by UAE Federal Decree, ADGM's jurisdiction extends across the entire 114 hectares of Al Maryah Island. ADGM's three independent authorities - the Registration Authority (RA), the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and ADGM Courts - together ensure that its business-friendly environment operates in line with international best practices, recognised by major financial centres worldwide.

The ADGM Authority is mandated to facilitate the achievement of ADGM's vision to be one of the world's foremost international financial centers. The Authority brings together strategic and support functions to ensure the continued provision of best-in-class services, enabling the development of ADGM as a whole. It plays a pivotal role in driving ADGM's growth by leveraging emerging trends across the international financial services sector and the developments associated with the post-pandemic world.

Role Purpose

Provide legal and strategic advice and direction to ADGM and ensure its compliance with applicable laws and regulations associated with its operations to minimise risk and facilitate efficient decision-making by Executive Management. Support the day-to-day management of the Office of the Legal Affairs and General Counsel (OLAGC) and report to the Chief Legal Officer on all material and strategic issues in a timely and coherent manner.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Risk Management

• Identify, manage and mitigate legal and other risks in contractual and other arrangements.
• Assess and mitigate legal and commercial risks in contractual and other arrangements.
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts and other legal documents with a view to manage legal risk.
• Develop and update standard terms of business and standard templates.
• Assist with claim management and the timely resolution of potential disputes.
• Support the conduct of any litigation or alternative dispute resolution.

Strategic Advice & Governance

• Provide legal advice and support to ADGM Authority and ADGM Board of Directors as well as ad hoc advice to other ADGM Authorities.
• Maintain awareness of the current local and international legislative and regulatory environment.
• Ensure solid understanding of, and contribution to, OLAGC and ADGM values, strategies, policies and procedures.

Operations & Transactions

• Actively participate in and overall management of the conduct of contractual negotiations and assist in execution of transactions.
• Instruct and manage external counsel in accordance with applicable OLAGC procurement process.
• Support the implementation of ADGM's regulations, policies, processes and procedures, ensuring that all relevant procedural and legislative requirements are fulfilled while delivering quality and cost-effective service.
• Assist in improvement and management of processes and procedures for OLAGC legal team.

Team Leadership & Development

• Support an environment where team members consistently drive to improve performance.
• Support management of the team to achieve overall OLAGC and ADGM objectives.
• Support management by effectively empowering team members.
• Take responsibility for mentoring junior members of the team to facilitate their career progression.
• Review performance of junior team members and address all performance issues fairly and constructively.

Information Security

• Understand, adopt, adhere and practice responsibilities and controls as per ADGM Information Security policy and as per best practices explained in the induction and awareness sessions.
• Maintain confidentiality, integrity and availability of ADGM information at all times, both within and outside ADGM.

Qualifications & Experience

Education & Professional Certification

• Law degree from an internationally accredited university or equivalent.
• Admission to the bar or practice of law in a recognised international jurisdiction, with preference for common law qualification.

Work Experience

• Minimum 8 to 10 years' post-qualification experience in an internationally recognised law firm or an in-house legal function in a UAE or multi-national company in a complementary sector.
• Relevant experience preferably in general corporate and commercial practice areas.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
• Fluent English essential; Arabic desirable.
• Ability to liaise effectively and coordinate with internal teams and external service providers at the international and local level.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, along with the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with stakeholders at all levels of seniority.
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
• Excellent planning, organising and time management skills.
• Ability to produce highly accurate work demonstrating attention to detail.
• Analytical mind-set and strong problem-solving skills.
• Result-driven approach with the ability to take the initiative to achieve results.
• Teamwork and knowledge sharing, including excellent research skills.
• Intercultural sensitivity.