Senior Legal Counsel - Gulf
Otis has an exciting opportunity for a motivated lawyer who is capable of managing a busy and demanding business workload. In this Legal Counsel role, you will be responsible for general law business law advice and legal governance matters for the Otis businesses in the Gulf, reporting directly to the Legal Iberia, Africa and Middle East legal Director and indirectly to the Gulf MD You will as well represent EMEA at the Legal Major Projects Center of Expertise (COE).
A typical day at work is difficult to describe because of its diversity but there is always one common element: the permanent focus on the selling and operational side of the business while protecting the company’s interests and ensuring good governance in compliance with applicable laws. The role comes with much responsibility and a large degree of day-to-day client contact but most importantly a pro-active hands-on approach towards the operating business as part of our growth and innovation strategy.
The successful candidate should demonstrate accountability, resilience, have a good understanding of the business, a strong customer focus, and situational adaptability. The preferred location for this role is in Dubai (UAE).
Responsibilities:
- Provide counsel and advice to the business including negotiating, drafting, and reviewing contracts
- Act in an advising capacity on disputes and legal issues
- Manage non-significant litigation matters as well as provide day-to-day support for significant litigation matters
- Supporting complex projects as well as business development activities
- Streamlining and automating legal processes
- Liaising with external counsel and deploying ongoing training and development of non-legally skilled business colleagues
- Oversight of corporate secretarial matters and be closely involved in compliance work, partially handled by specialists with whom you will be working very closely (governance)
Minimum Qualifications:
- Minimum of 8-10 years’ broad operational legal experience, preferably in the Middle East construction industry, at a reputable law firm and/or in a major corporation
- Experience in dealing with construction (contentious and non-contentious) matters: from high-profile complex projects to “flow” transactions; Sub-contracting; (pre)litigation and dispute resolution
- Fluent in English and Arabic
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong academics and analytical skills and willingness to travel across the region
- Growth oriented, pro-active and pragmatic mindset and approach
- Solutions/results orientated, with skills to drive change and innovation, also in the legal function
- A true communicator (oral, written) and team player with strong business judgment but with a good sense of humor.