Advertised on 4 June 2025
The Legal Director will lead and manage all legal and contractual matters across the company’s operations. This includes the review, drafting, negotiation, and administration of contracts with customers, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and partners.
The role ensures that all business activities, including those related to EPC projects, commercial transactions, trading operations, and financial arrangements, are conducted in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and Emirates Biotech’s internal policies and standards.
The Legal Director will also serve as the primary legal advisor to internal stakeholders, providing strategic and operational legal support to mitigate risks, safeguard the company’s interests, and enhance overall business efficiency and reliability.
This role offers the opportunity to play a strategic advisory role across the whole company as this position is part of the Executive Team. This is a highly visible and team management role.
Key Responsibilities
- Project Execution Support
- Advise project teams on contractual, financial, and legal issues throughout the lifecycle of each contract.
- Guide or lead the preparation, submission, negotiation, and resolution of claims, variations, damages, and change orders in coordination with Operations and Project Management teams.
- Participate in monthly backlog and project review meetings, supporting financial performance assessments, cash flow reviews, and analysis of unbilled revenue or charges.
- Review and negotiate exclusivity, tie-up, or partnering agreements with key vendors, subcontractors, and strategic partners, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and risk appetite.
- Contract Lifecycle Management
- Manage the full lifecycle of contracts across all business areas—from opportunity assessment, tendering, and negotiation to execution, performance monitoring, and contract closure.
- Develop, maintain, and regularly update standardised contract templates for use with clients, vendors, contractors, subcontractors, and partners.
- Ensure effective administration and record-keeping of all executed contracts and agreements.
- Support the business in interpreting and fulfilling both Emirates Biotech’s and counterparties’ obligations under various agreements.
- Legal Advisory & Risk Management
- Provide legal advice and support on a wide range of corporate, commercial, and operational matters, including EPC projects, trading operations, financial arrangements, and compliance issues.
- Identify legal and contractual risks, propose mitigation strategies, and ensure timely escalation of high-risk matters to senior management.
- Lead and implement the company’s risk review process, including proactive identification, assessment, and management of legal and commercial risks.
- Project Execution Support
- Advise project teams on contractual, financial, and legal issues throughout the lifecycle of each contract.
- Guide or lead the preparation, submission, negotiation, and resolution of claims, variations, damages, and change orders in coordination with Operations and Project Management teams.
- Participate in monthly backlog and project review meetings, supporting financial performance assessments, cash flow reviews, and analysis of unbilled revenue or charges.
- Review and negotiate exclusivity, tie-up, or partnering agreements with key vendors, subcontractors, and strategic partners, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and risk appetite.
- Commercial & Tendering Support
- Review tender documents and provide strategic input to business development and proposal teams regarding contractual and legal exposure.
- Analyse commercial terms and provide redlined recommendations, risk summaries, and negotiation strategies for standard and non-standard contract terms.
- Draft and review legal documents such as statements of work, NDAs, teaming agreements, sales agreements, and client/vendor contracts.
- Prepare contractual cover letters and terms and conditions aligned with company policies and commercial objectives for inclusion in bids and proposals.
- Compliance, Governance & Best Practice
- Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, industry regulations, and Emirates Biotech’s internal policies, procedures, and corporate governance frameworks.
- Promote continuous improvement in contractual and legal processes to strengthen commercial performance and risk control.
- Collaborate with internal departments (Finance, Operations, Commercial, and HR) to ensure consistency and alignment in legal matters across business functions.
- Provide training, guidance, and mentoring to internal teams on legal and contract management principles, roles, responsibilities, and authority levels.
Qualifications and Experience
- Education
- A qualified lawyer with a Bachelor’s degree in Law is required; a Master’s degree in Law, or complementary studies in Engineering or Business Administration, is a strong advantage.
- Relevant certifications in contract management, project management, or legal practice (e.g., FIDIC, PMP, IACCM/WorldCC) are considered beneficial.
- Experience
- Mid-career level position requiring 10 years of progressive experience in contract and legal management, including tendering, contract finalisation, administration, and negotiation of partnership agreements.
- Significant and successful track record in managing different types of contracts and agreements for reputed Contractor(s) in the life cycles of EPC Projects.
- At least 5 years of relevant experience working in the UAE, preferably within the EPC, construction, or industrial sectors.
- Demonstrated proficiency in reviewing, negotiating, and advising on contractual insurances, bonds, and guarantees during pre-qualification, bidding, and pre-award stages.
- Solid understanding of contract law, risk management principles, project controls, and financial aspects of projects.
- Skills and Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex legal and contractual documents.
- Strategic thinker with proven ability to develop negotiation strategies and manage high-stake commercial and legal discussions.
- Skilled in stakeholder engagement, relationship building, and leading cross-functional teams.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; able to present legal and contractual issues clearly to senior management and external partners.
- Effective project management, time management, and organisational skills with high attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to inspire, guide, and motivate teams to achieve company objectives.
- Confident, proactive, and capable of working under pressure in fast-paced, multicultural environments.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Emirates Biotech is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We embrace and celebrate differences in our employees and applicants, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected status as required by the laws of the United Arab Emirates.
Apply Now
Please send your CV to HR@emiratesbiotech.com. Our HR team will contact you if your profile matches our requirements for the above vacancy. If you do not hear from us within two weeks, unfortunately, your application has not been successful. Best of luck!