Legal Manager FMGs Exp & Egypt
Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Legal Manager to join a leading global consumer brand with a strong presence in Egypt. This is a newly established legal function, offering the opportunity to build the local legal setup from the ground up and act as the key legal partner to the business.
Reporting directly to the General Manager (GM), with a dotted-line relationship to the Regional Legal Manager, the Legal Manager will represent the Egypt business and work closely with global and regional legal teams to ensure the company operates effectively and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
This is a standalone, individual-contributor role with significant ownership and visibility across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the legal function in Egypt, acting as the primary legal advisor to the General Manager and local leadership team.
- Provide strategic and day-to-day legal advice across commercial, corporate, regulatory, and operational matters.
- Draft, review, negotiate, and manage commercial agreements, including partnerships, suppliers, distributors, agencies, and other third parties.
- Advise the business on corporate law, commercial law, regulatory matters, and legal risk management.
- Represent the Egypt business in coordination with regional and global legal stakeholders.
- Work closely with the Global and Regional Legal teams to implement group-wide legal policies, standards, and initiatives locally.
- Support the business on corporate governance, compliance, contracts, intellectual property, employment-related legal matters, and disputes as required.
- Manage relationships with external legal counsel and law firms, identifying and recommending suitable agencies/firms for specific areas of expertise.
- Build the local legal operating model, including identifying when and where external counsel should be engaged.
- Partner closely with Finance, HR, Procurement, Marketing, Sales, Operations, and other functions to identify and mitigate legal risks.
- Provide practical, commercially focused legal solutions that enable the business to move quickly while managing risk effectively.
- Monitor relevant changes in Egyptian legislation and regulations and assess their impact on the business.
Requirements
- Experience: Minimum 10 years of legal experience, with substantial in-house corporate legal experience.
- Industry: Experience within FMCG / consumer goods is strongly preferred. Candidates from Pharma, Telecom, Real Estate, or other relevant sectors may also be considered if they have strong in-house experience.
- In-house experience is essential; candidates coming exclusively from private practice/law firms are not the primary target for this role.
- Strong background in Corporate and Commercial Law, with proven experience advising businesses on day-to-day legal matters.
- Experience working within a multinational organization and/or with regional/global legal teams is highly desirable.
- Proven ability to operate as a standalone legal professional, taking ownership of the full local legal agenda.
- Experience managing and coordinating external legal counsel and selecting specialist firms/agencies when required.
- Strong understanding of the Egyptian legal and regulatory environment.
- Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university.
- Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
Soft Skills & Personal Competencies
- Strong business-partner mindset, with the ability to balance legal protection with commercial objectives.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with confidence in advising senior leadership.
- Comfortable working independently in a newly established function with no existing local legal team.
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- High level of ownership, accountability, and initiative.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and highly collaborative environment.
- Comfortable working across different cultures and with regional and global stakeholders.
- Pragmatic and solutions-oriented, with the ability to translate complex legal matters into clear business advice.
Reporting Structure
- Direct Report: General Manager – Egypt
- Dotted Line: Regional Legal Manager
- Team: Solo Contributor
- Scope: Egypt, with regular interaction with regional and global legal teams
