Head of Legal Affairs - Middle East & Africa (MEA)

Role Summary

The Head of Legal Affairs – MEA is responsible for overseeing legal operations and governance across the Middle East and Africa region. The role provides strategic legal leadership to support business growth, strengthen regulatory compliance, minimize legal exposure, and ensure effective governance across regional operations.

This position acts as a trusted advisor to leadership teams, managing legal advisory services, dispute resolution, contractual matters, corporate governance, and intellectual property initiatives while building a high-performing legal function.

Job Description

• Legal Governance & Strategic Oversight
1. Establish and maintain regional legal frameworks, procedures, and governance standards.
2. Translate business priorities into legal strategies that support operational and commercial objectives.
3. Monitor evolving legal and regulatory requirements and implement proactive compliance measures.
4. Design and maintain legal governance documentation, policies, and operating guidelines.
5. Drive a culture of ethics, integrity, and accountability through legal awareness and internal guidance.
6. Identify legal and regulatory exposure areas and implement mitigation plans.
7. Support leadership in making informed decisions on legal and governance matters.
• Commercial Legal Support & Advisory
1. Provide practical and commercially focused legal counsel to internal stakeholders.
2. Lead the review, drafting, negotiation, and execution of contracts and commercial agreements.
3. Structure agreements to balance legal protection with business objectives.
4. Advise on complex legal matters and develop solution-oriented recommendations.
5. Manage legal escalations and coordinate responses to critical business issues.
6. Partner with external legal advisors where specialist expertise is required.
• Dispute Resolution & Asset Protection
1. Direct dispute management activities including litigation, arbitration, and settlement discussions.
2. Oversee external counsel engagement and monitor case strategy and outcomes.
3. Protect business interests through effective legal positioning and dispute avoidance practices.
4. Lead intellectual property management initiatives, including registration, enforcement, and portfolio protection.
• Leadership & Capability Building
1. Develop and mentor regional legal teams to build sustainable capability.
2. Create succession and workforce development plans for critical legal roles.
3. Encourage knowledge sharing and continuous professional growth across the function.
• Corporate Responsibility & Governance
1. Strengthen governance practices across the region in line with internal standards and applicable regulations.
2. Support responsible business initiatives and promote operational sustainability principles.
3. Ensure legal activities align with environmental, health, safety, and governance expectations.
• Ethics & Anti-Corruption Framework
1. Promote adherence to anti-corruption principles and internal compliance controls.
2. Strengthen awareness of ethical business practices and decision-making standards.
3. Evaluate corruption and integrity risks across legal and commercial activities.
4. Support implementation and monitoring of anti-bribery controls and reporting mechanisms.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB or equivalent)
• Arabic language proficiency is required
• 10–15 years of progressive experience in legal affairs, corporate governance, and compliance
• Strong experience in legal operations, contract management, and risk management
• Strong understanding of regulatory engagement and public-sector operating environments
• Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders and external legal networks
• Excellent negotiation, advisory, and executive communication skills
• Strong knowledge of commercial contracting and corporate governance practices
• Experience in dispute resolution, litigation management, and claims handling
• Knowledge of intellectual property management and legal risk assessment
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making abilities
• Ability to manage complex legal matters and provide business-focused solutions
• Strong stakeholder management and business partnership skills
• High level of adaptability, accountability, and results orientation
• Experience in compliance monitoring and anti-corruption frameworks
• Leadership experience in managing and mentoring legal teams
• Ability to work in fast-paced and multicultural environments