Senior Legal Counsel

Job Overview

Hays is recruiting a Senior Legal Counsel for a government-backed digital media company in Abu Dhabi. You will provide strategic legal counsel across corporate governance, commercial contracts, employment matters, M&A and investments, ensuring compliance with UAE regulations while steering complex cross-border transactions and partnering closely with senior leadership and external counsel.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise on corporate governance, commercial agreements, employment law, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead end-to-end M&A: due diligence, structuring, negotiation, execution, and integration support.
• Support investment initiatives: PE deals, JVs, fund formation; draft/negotiation SPAs, SHAs, term sheets.
• Manage external counsel and oversee litigation/dispute resolution when required.
• Deliver proactive legal risk assessments; develop mitigation strategies and compliance frameworks.
• Partner with executives on strategic initiatives and key corporate projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s in Law (LLB/JD); Master’s preferred. Qualified in a common law jurisdiction (UK/US/IRL/AUS/NZ/SA).
• 8+ years M&A/corporate experience in top law firm and/or in-house.
• Proven record on cross-border deals and complex negotiations.
• Fluent English; Arabic an advantage. Strong stakeholder management and multitasking skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive tax-free salary + benefits.
• High-impact role within a fast-growing, government-backed media platform.
• Board-level exposure and ownership of marquee transactions.

Quick Details

• Salary Range: Market Competitive
• Job Sector: Legal / Media & Technology
• Job Type: Full-time, On-site
• International Applicant: Not specified
• Qualifications: Common law qualified; 8+ yrs M&A/corporate; cross-border transactions; English fluent
• Job Categories: Corporate/M&A, Investments, Commercial, Governance, Disputes

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