Legal Counsel

Responsibilities:

Legal Analysis, Review of Agreements and Risk Mitigation:
Review and Interpret all terms and conditions of contracts (master agreements, SOWs, IOs, NDAs, etc.) to ensure clarity, completeness, and enforceability.
Identify, Analyze, and Mitigate potential legal and business risks, including liabilities, indemnities, warranties, and breach of contract scenarios.
Ensure Regulatory Compliance with all relevant laws, directives, and industry-specific regulations (e.g., MiFID II, GDPR, or local commercial laws).
Draft and Negotiate necessary amendments, addenda, and side letters to align contract terms with the client's interests and standard legal playbook.
 
Contract Administration and Structure:
Confirm Party Details to ensure the Parties listed are the correct legal entities, addresses, and registration numbers, including verifying group relationships and ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) where relevant.
Manage Renewal and Termination by scrutinizing clauses for Duration and Termination, paying special attention to automatic renewal provisions, required notice periods, and the method of termination (e.g., registered mail).
Determine Governing Law and Jurisdiction to ensure contracts specify clear mechanisms for Dispute Resolution and the appropriate governing jurisdiction.
 
Communication and Record Keeping:
Provide Clear Feedback to the business, identifying Open Points and Red Flags in a clear and actionable manner.
Maintain Records of all contract drafts, final signed versions, negotiation history, and associated legal opinions.
Consult with Internal Stakeholders (HR, Finance, Compliance, and other internal departments) to ensure contract terms align with internal policies and business objectives.

Requirements:

Legal professional with extensive experience.
Significant experience working across multiple jurisdictions, particularly in Europe, MENA, the Americas, and APAC.
Ability to work autonomously, make decisions, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to draft policies for group companies, complex commercial agreements and review third-party contracts, identifying risks, ambiguities, and unfavorable terms.
Strong task-management abilities
 
Preferred But Not Essential:
Previous experience in a regulated industry (e.g., financial services, fintech, or another compliance-heavy sector).
Experience leading or mentoring legal teams or junior colleagues.
Personal Qualities:
Proactive and results-driven – willing to get hands dirty and deliver under pressure.
Responsibility for results - you're accountable and the driving force, not your manager.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills – ability to manage teams and collaborate with stakeholders globally.
Excellent problem-solving ability – able to navigate complex legal and regulatory landscapes.
Highly organised and detail-oriented – capable of managing multiple legal matters simultaneously.
Strong communication skills – able to convey complex legal issues clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
Ownership of the tasks and projects until the final result is achieved.