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.