Senior Legal Counsel

Our client is a prominent investment holding company based in Abu Dhabi operating as a familyowned business with an annual turnover of AED 5 billion. The group has a diversified portfolio spanning industries such as Real Estate F&B Retail & Distribution Healthcare Manpower Automotive Smart Cities Private Equity and Capital Markets. Additionally they own and manage a professional football club.

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join our clients legal team in Abu Dhabi. This is a highly confidential mandate requiring a seasoned legal professional with expertise in sports law contracts negotiations and legal frameworks across multiple industries. The ideal candidate will provide strategic legal advice manage critical negotiations and oversee contractual matters related to player acquisitions sponsorships suppliers and key partnerships.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contracts & Drafting: Draft review and negotiate contracts related to player acquisitions sponsorship deals supplier agreements and key partnerships.
• Legal Frameworks & Compliance: Ensure compliance with local and international sports laws regulatory requirements and industryspecific legal frameworks.
• Negotiations: Lead negotiations with sponsors suppliers and business partners to secure favorable terms for the company.
• Player Contracts & Acquisitions: Handle legal aspects of player contracts transfers and acquisitions ensuring compliance with governing sports regulations.
• Stakeholder Management: Provide legal counsel to senior executives business units and key stakeholders across different industries within the group.
• Risk Management: Identify legal risks and implement mitigation strategies to protect the organizations interests.
• Sports Law & Regulatory Compliance: Oversee legal aspects related to the football club including contracts player agreements sponsorships and regulatory compliance.
• Dispute Resolution: Manage legal disputes arbitration and litigation as required.
• Corporate Governance: Support legal governance initiatives and contribute to corporate compliance policies.

Key Qualifications & Experience:

• Must be an Arabicspeaking legal professional.
• Education: Bachelors degree in Law (LLB) is required; Masters degree (LLM) or equivalent qualification is preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 10 years of legal experience with expertise in contract negotiation legal drafting and regulatory compliance.
• Industry Expertise: Prior experience in Sports Law is a must along with exposure to Real Estate Facility Management or other relevant industries within the groups portfolio.
• Strong understanding of UAE and international legal regulations.
• Experience handling highvalue sponsorship negotiations player acquisitions and supplier agreements.
• Proven ability to work in a fastpaced highstakes environment.
• Strong leadership communication and stakeholder management skills.

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to work with a leading investment holding company with a diversified portfolio.
• Direct involvement in highprofile legal matters including player contracts and sponsorship deals.
• Exposure to multiple industries including Sports Real Estate and Private Equity.
• Competitive compensation package and career growth opportunities.