Senior Vice President - Legal Counsel

Abu DhabiExperienced hiressenior

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Overview

Job Purpose To lead the legal function's strategic contribution to Aldar's Development business by providing authoritative legal counsel on high-value, complex real estate and corporate transactions.

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OtherPresident

Job Purpose

To lead the legal function's strategic contribution to Aldar's Development business by providing authoritative legal counsel on high-value, complex real estate and corporate transactions. The SVP acts as a trusted senior adviser to the General Counsel – Development and executive leadership, driving legal strategy, leading high-stakes negotiations and ensuring robust legal risk management across the Development portfolio. The role is equally accountable for elevating the capability of the wider legal team and embedding improved standards of transaction execution across the function.

Roles and Responsibilities

Lead legal structuring and execution of joint ventures, partnerships and strategic investments across Aldar's real estate portfolio, including hotels, schools, retail malls and office assets.
Drive negotiation of high-value, non-standard and complex strategic legal agreements, ensuring efficient execution and alignment with Aldar's commercial objectives.
Provide legal leadership on complex deal structures and transaction strategies, advising on optimal structuring to maximise value and manage exposure.
Ensure effective legal positioning in multi-party, cross-border and cross-functional transactions.
Support execution of strategic business growth initiatives, including large-scale acquisitions, divestments and group-level structuring projects.
Oversee documentation for leasing transactions across Aldar's diversified portfolio, including tenant management, renewals and enforcement.
Review, negotiate and lead on property management agreements, facilities management contracts, licences and service agreements.
Apply specialist knowledge of hotel and school management agreements and franchise agreements to advise on complex sector-specific transactions.

Provide authoritative, commercially oriented legal advice on high-complexity and business-critical matters across the Development business.
Lead identification and mitigation of legal risks in strategic matters, ensuring appropriate contractual protections and deal safeguards are embedded in all transactions.
Support business teams in structuring innovative and non-standard solutions, balancing risk management with commercial growth objectives.
Guide the business on legal compliance, applicable regulatory frameworks and internal governance requirements.
Oversee legal input into risk and commercial decision-making, including escalated and contentious matters.
Support development of legal standards and best-practice frameworks for complex transactions within the Development business.

Engage directly with senior leadership and key stakeholders (including Commercial, Finance, Treasury, Tax and Strategy) coordinating legal inputs across transactions.
Lead interactions with strategic partners, investors and counterparties, representing Aldar's legal position in high-level negotiations.
Appoint and manage external law firms, provide clear legal instructions and manage associated spend within budget.

Allocate work across the team and mentor members on structuring, negotiation and deal execution, building internal expertise.
Propose and drive continuous improvement in transaction execution processes, legal templates and tools.
Maintain current knowledge of relevant legal developments in the UAE and key international jurisdictions applicable to Aldar's activities.

Qualifications & Skills

12-15 years of related experience ideally gained in international law firm and/or large in-house environment.
Min of 4+ Years of managerial position preferred.
Experience in transactional real estate matters and development management.
Expert-level knowledge of UAE legal systems and regulatory frameworks, including onshore and ADGM jurisdictions, with familiarity across relevant international frameworks.
Exceptional drafting skills with the ability to review and approve complex, high-value legal documentation to the highest standard.
Strong strategic thinking and the ability to structure innovative legal solutions for non-standard and complex transactions.
Proven ability to lead and influence senior internal and external stakeholders, including C-suite, investors and strategic partners.
Excellent negotiation skills with a demonstrated track record of leading high-value, multi-party negotiations to successful conclusion.
Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to present complex legal matters clearly and concisely to executive leadership and board-level audiences.
Law Degree, Bachelors or Post Graduate Diploma in Law
Common Law Qualified