Assistant Vice President - Legal Counsel (UAE National)

Job PurposeAct as legal counsel on construction and development projects, providing legal advice on procurement strategies and the drafting, review and negotiation of construction-related agreements. The role is responsible for managing contractual and legal risk across the project lifecycle and supporting project teams on claims, variations and dispute resolution to safeguard Aldar’s commercial and legal interests.Roles and ResponsibilitiesLead the drafting, review, and negotiation of construction and project-related agreements, including main contracts, consultancy agreements, and related project documentation.Advise on procurement strategies and contract structuring to ensure appropriate risk allocation and alignment with project objectives.Provide legal support throughout the project lifecycle, from tender stage through project delivery to close-out.Advise project teams on contract interpretation, administration, and compliance with contractual obligations.Support the management of variations, claims, and extension of time matters, ensuring legal and commercial risks are mitigated.Provide strategic advice on dispute avoidance and resolution, including managing pre-dispute processes, negotiations, and formal dispute proceedings (arbitration/litigation).Liaise with and manage external legal counsel where required, including oversight of advice, budgets, and deliverables.Collaborate with internal stakeholders including project, commercial, procurement, and finance teams to ensure consistent and practical legal support.Develop and maintain standard form construction contracts, templates, and playbooks in line with market practice and Aldar requirements.Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal governance policies in all construction-related matters.Support risk management initiatives by identifying legal risks and proposing mitigation strategies across projects.Contribute to internal knowledge sharing and continuous improvement of legal processes related to construction and project delivery.Related Years of ExperienceMinimum of 8+ years of experience in legal practice, ideally in construction/real estate (private practice or in-house).Field of ExperienceConstruction, Infrastructure, Project Procurement.Technical and Interpersonal SkillsAttention to detailSystematic organizing capabilityAbility to deal with senior executivesTime managementNegotiating skillsExcellent communication and relationship management skillsEnglish language drafting mandatory – contracts and correspondence with counterparties and government entitiesArabic language capabilities would be beneficialQualificationBachelors degree / Law degreeLegal qualifications (as applicable in country of qualification)We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.#J-18808-Ljbffr