Vice President – Legal (VP – Legal)
Location: Sharjah, UAE
Language Requirement: Fluency in Arabic and English (Mandatory)
Experience: 15+ Years
Job Purpose:
We are seeking an accomplished VP – Legal to lead the Legal Affairs function for a leading UAE-based real estate development and asset management organisation.
The role will provide strategic legal leadership, oversee regulatory compliance, manage complex real estate transactions and disputes, and serve as a trusted legal advisor to executive management. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in UAE real estate laws, particularly Sharjah's regulatory framework, with strong commercial acumen and proven leadership capabilities.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Legal Strategy & Regulatory Compliance
- Develop and implement the organisation's legal strategy, ensuring compliance with UAE federal laws and Sharjah real estate regulations.
- Advise executive leadership on legal risks, regulatory developments, commercial transactions and corporate governance.
- Maintain effective relationships with regulatory bodies, particularly the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department (SRERD).
2. Real Estate Transactions & Development
- Oversee legal matters relating to land acquisitions, property development, title verification and major commercial transactions.
- Review and negotiate development agreements, joint ventures, usufruct arrangements, off-plan sales contracts and financing agreements.
- Ensure regulatory compliance throughout the real estate project lifecycle.
3. Project Registration & Escrow Compliance
- Oversee project registration, escrow account governance and compliance with Sharjah's real estate regulations.
- Manage regulatory submissions, escalations and engagements with relevant government authorities.
- Ensure compliance with off-plan development and sales requirements.
4. Leasing & Asset Management
- Provide legal oversight for residential and commercial leasing operations.
- Ensure compliance with Sharjah tenancy legislation, including Law No. 5 of 2024.
- Manage complex tenancy disputes, contractual matters and legal risks involving property assets.
5. Corporate Governance & AML Compliance
- Oversee corporate legal structures, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), shareholder agreements and governance documentation.
- Ensure compliance with UAE Commercial Companies Law and applicable corporate regulatory requirements.
- Provide oversight of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) obligations relevant to real estate operations.
6. Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Lead legal strategy for litigation, arbitration and commercial dispute resolution.
- Manage disputes involving buyers, contractors, consultants, tenants and other stakeholders.
- Appoint and oversee external legal counsel while ensuring effective cost and risk management.
7. Leadership & Executive Advisory
- Lead, mentor and develop the Legal Affairs team.
- Advise the CEO, CFO and executive leadership on strategic legal matters and major business decisions.
- Establish legal policies, compliance procedures, contract governance standards and risk mitigation frameworks.
Qualifications & Experience:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB/JD) – Mandatory.
- Master's degree in Law (LLM) – Preferred.
- Admission to legal practice in a recognized jurisdiction or UAE legal consultant licensing is an advantage.
Professional Experience:
- Minimum 12–15 years of post-qualification legal experience, preferably within the UAE real estate development sector.
- Significant experience in Sharjah real estate laws, property development regulations, project registration and escrow compliance.
- Proven experience managing complex real estate transactions, development agreements, leasing matters and commercial disputes.
- Strong understanding of UAE corporate governance, SPV structures and AML/CFT regulations.
- Experience working with SRERD and other UAE real estate regulatory authorities is highly desirable.
Essential Skills & Competencies:
- Fluent Arabic and English – Mandatory, including legal drafting, negotiation and regulatory correspondence.
- Comprehensive knowledge of UAE real estate legislation, particularly Sharjah.
- Strong expertise in property development, escrow regulations, commercial contracts and corporate governance.
- Excellent negotiation, litigation management and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
- Ability to provide strategic legal advice to C-suite executives and senior leadership.
- Strong commercial judgement, integrity, confidentiality and leadership skills.
