Overview
Legal Head Jobs in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at James Douglas Middle East
Title: Legal Head
Company: James Douglas Middle East
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
We are working on a critical leadership mandate for a Legal Head to build and lead the legal function for a fast-growing, multi-jurisdictional business operating across Mining, Oil & Gas, and EPC Infrastructure.
This is not a traditional corporate legal role. You will operate as a standalone legal leader, owning the full spectrum of legal, regulatory, and compliance matters across complex and high-risk markets.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Leading legal, regulatory, and compliance strategy across multiple jurisdictions
- Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and the Board
- Driving legal input on M&A, project development, and financing transactions
- Managing legal risks across operations, trading, and project environments
- Drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements (EPC/EPCM, JVs, SPAs, offtake, logistics)
- Overseeing disputes, arbitration, and external counsel
What we’re looking for:
- 18+ years of legal experience in Mining, Oil & Gas, EPC, or commodity trading
- Strong exposure to cross-border transactions (Africa exposure is a strong plus)
- Deep expertise in contracts, compliance, and risk management
- Ability to operate independently in high-growth, high-ambiguity environments
- Commercial mindset — not just legal theory
Why this role stands out:
- Full ownership of the legal function (no layers, no silos)
- Direct exposure to leadership and strategic decisions
- Opportunity to shape legal frameworks from the ground up
- High-impact role in complex, international markets