# Head of Legal (Group General Counsel)

> The Greater Change · Dubai, United Arab Emirates · Full-time · Posted 2026-10-05

**Workplace:** on_site

**Department:** The Greater Change

## Description

**About the Group**

Our client is a privately held investment holding group with operating businesses and investment vehicles across the UAE, the UK and several other jurisdictions. The group holds a diversified portfolio of companies across different sectors and is growing through new acquisitions and further investment in its existing businesses. It currently operates under a mainland licence in the UAE. This is a rare opportunity to join at a formative stage, with direct access to the CEO and Board and the chance to shape the group's legal foundations.

**The Role**

The Head of Legal will be the group's most senior lawyer, reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Board. It is a hands-on role, from structuring through to completion, and the postholder will also set up the group's legal, risk and compliance function.

**Transactions and Structuring**

-   Lead acquisitions, disposals, mergers, joint ventures and restructurings across the group's UK, UAE and international holdings, covering structuring, due diligence, negotiation, documentation and post-completion matters.
-   Advise on the right legal and ownership structure for new investments and reorganisations.
-   Draft, review and negotiate shareholder agreements, financing documents, transaction agreements and the group's key commercial contracts.

**Risk, Compliance and Governance**

-   Act as adviser on corporate, commercial and regulatory matters.
-   Build a group compliance framework covering UAE mainland and free zone entities (including DIFC and ADGM where relevant), UK company law obligations and any sector regulation that applies to the businesses.
-   Identify and manage legal and regulatory risk across the group and its different jurisdictions as and when required.

**External Counsel and Disputes**

-   Select, instruct and manage law firms in each jurisdiction, keeping the quality of advice consistent and legal spend under control.
-   Set the strategy on disputes and litigation, working with local counsel and seeing matters through to resolution.

**Building the Function**

-   Introduce the templates, approval processes and standards the group needs, and recruit and develop the legal team as the portfolio grows.

## Requirements

**Essential**

-   Qualified as a solicitor or barrister in England & Wales, or in another common law jurisdiction.
-   At least 15 years' PQE in corporate and commercial law, with substantial M&A and cross-border investment experience.
-   A track record of leading transactions from start to finish, not just supporting them.
-   Working knowledge of UK and UAE law as it applies to M&A, corporate structuring and holding company governance, including the UAE mainland, free zone (DIFC, ADGM) and offshore regimes.
-   Experience instructing law firms across several jurisdictions and managing a legal budget.
-   Strong drafting and negotiation skills and fluent English.
-   Sound judgement and discretion.

**Desirable**

-   A previous role as General Counsel or Head of Legal in a holding company, family office, private equity platform or the investment arm of a bank.
-   Experience of working in an owner-managed or majority-shareholder business.
-   Post-acquisition integration experience.

## Benefits

-   Competitive remuneration package commensurate with seniority and experience, to be discussed with shortlisted candidates.

-   Based in Dubai, with regular travel to the UK and other countries where the group operates.
-   A broad mandate covering M&A, JVs, governance, compliance and commercial work across several sectors and jurisdictions.
-   The chance to build the group's legal function largely from scratch.

## Apply

[Apply at The Greater Change](https://apply.workable.com/the-greater-change-1/j/AAC3FA8663/apply)

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