Job Title: Head of Legal Department

Job Overview

The Head of Legal Department will act as the primary legal advisor to the University, ensuring compliance with all local and international laws. This role involves providing strategic legal guidance on contracts, intellectual property, employment law, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, and governance.

Key Responsibilities

⚖️ Legal Advisory & Compliance

• Provide expert legal advice to senior management, faculty, and staff.
• Interpret and apply local, national, and international laws affecting the University.
• Ensure compliance with data protection laws (e.g., GDPR), accreditation requirements, and immigration laws.

📑 Contract Management

• Draft, review, and negotiate academic, research, employment, sponsorship, and vendor contracts.
• Ensure all contracts align with legal regulations and institutional goals.

⚠️ Risk Management & Dispute Resolution

• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks across the University.
• Represent the institution in litigation, arbitration, and negotiations.
• Manage and coordinate with external legal counsel.

🏛️ Governance & Policy Development

• Advise on university governance, policy development, and institutional procedures.
• Work closely with the Board of Governors and senior leadership to ensure compliance with evolving legal landscapes.

📚 Intellectual Property & Research

• Provide legal support on patents, copyrights, trademarks, and licensing agreements.
• Develop policies for IP protection and commercialization of academic innovations.

🌍 International Legal Matters

• Manage cross-border regulations, immigration laws, and international collaborations.
• Ensure legal compliance across multiple university campuses globally.

🎓 Training & Development

• Conduct legal training and awareness sessions for faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Educate teams on intellectual property rights, ethics, and compliance.

Qualifications & Experience

🎓 Education:

• Law degree (Juris Doctor, LLB, or equivalent) with specialization in higher education law, international law, or corporate law.

📌 Experience:

• 10+ years of legal experience, preferably in higher education or an international setting.
• Proven track record of handling multi-jurisdictional legal issues.
• Experience in leading legal teams and collaborating across departments.

Skills & Personal Attributes

✔️ Legal Expertise: Strong knowledge of education, data protection, immigration, intellectual property, and employment laws.
✔️ Negotiation & Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills.
✔️ Leadership & Strategy: Ability to align legal frameworks with institutional goals.
✔️ Problem-Solving: Proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
✔️ Multicultural Adaptability: Ability to work in a dynamic and diverse environment.
✔️ Languages: Fluency in English is required; proficiency in additional languages is a plus.

Preferred Candidate

• Years of Experience: 6+ years
• Nationality: United Arab Emirates

📩 Apply now to be a key legal leader in shaping the future of higher education! 🚀