Associate Legal Counsel / Legal Officer (Luxury Lifestyle)

Job Description

We are seeking a commercially astute and detail-oriented Associate Legal Counsel / Legal Officer to join our dynamic legal team at a leading international luxury brand. Based in Dubai, you will support legal matters across the EMEA region, ensuring business operations comply with applicable laws and mitigating legal risks.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a globally recognised brand, working on a wide range of cross-border legal issues in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Commercial & Retail Contracts

• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including:
• Retail leases and concession agreements
• Distribution and agency agreements
• Vendor and service provider contracts (e.g., IT, logistics, marketing)
• E-commerce and digital platform arrangements

1. Legal Support for Business Operations

• Advise business units (retail, marketing, supply chain, HR, e-commerce) on day-to-day legal queries
• Ensure legal compliance across different jurisdictions in the EMEA region
• Support product launches, promotional campaigns, influencer contracts, and consumer law compliance

1. Corporate & Regulatory

• Assist with corporate secretarial duties and governance of subsidiaries in the region
• Monitor regulatory developments and advise on the impact on business operations
• Support compliance with data privacy (e.g., GDPR, DIFC DP Law), anti-bribery, sanctions, and competition laws

1. Risk Management & Disputes

• Liaise with external counsel on litigation, employment disputes, IP enforcement, and customs issues
• Support brand protection efforts, including trademark enforcement and anti-counterfeiting actions

1. Internal Collaboration & Governance

• Assist in the development and roll-out of internal policies and training
• Support internal compliance audits and risk assessments
• Help maintain a legal contract database and document management system

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Qualified lawyer in a European jurisdiction preferably the United Kingdom
• 35 years PQE (Post-Qualification Experience), ideally with part of that time in-house
• Experience in the luxury, fashion, FMCG, or retail industry is highly preferred
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills, with a pragmatic and commercial approach
• Familiarity with cross-border legal and regulatory issues in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa
• Exposure to GCC laws (especially UAE) is an advantage, but not essential

Key Competencies:

• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and sound judgment
• Strong communication skills able to advise business partners clearly and concisely
• Adaptable, with a willingness to work across a wide range of legal disciplines
• Detail-oriented but with the ability to see the bigger commercial picture
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multicultural environment