Head of Legal

About the role:

This role is accountable and responsible to lead and manage a team of legal specialists, provide legal advice on variety of matters to stakeholders and senior management and to review and negotiate major contracts related to MATAR functions.

Key responsibilities:

• Protect MATAR's legal interest and provide strategic advice to MATAR's top management and drive achievement of MATAR's strategic goals as defined by the relevant strategy.

• Act as the primary point of contact and interface between MATAR and QR Group Legal to ensure consistency in legal approach and advice.

• Ensure compliance and oversight of key governance agreements i.e. (airport operating/concession agreement).

• Develop and implement procedures for contract management and administration to ensure compliance with Group and MATAR policies (where relevant), thereby contributing to MATAR's overall corporate governance standards.

• Define and own MATAR's standards and templates for legal document preparation to standardize processes across the organization.

• Negotiate, draft, and implement' a wide variety of complex and multiparty agreements, including key partnerships and strategic contracts within the Qatar Airways group and external vendors to align with MATAR's business strategy.

• Support senior management in development and oversight of MATAR's Compliance Register.

• Coordinate the effective implementation and management of strategic contracts in line with corporate objectives, legal requirements, and procedures to protect MATAR's interests.

• Facilitate the development and upkeep of strategic procedures for contracts and procurement to support compliance and risk mitigation.

• Act as a point of contact for external and internal audits, including DOA compliance oversight.

• Review, draft, interpret, and negotiate major contracts and legal documents related to MATAR functions to mitigate legal risks and minimize exposure.

• Oversight and reporting responsibility regarding monthly governance meetings between MATAR and QR Group Legal to ensure alignment on legal matters and decision-making.

• Represent Legal as a member of MATAR's Risk & Compliance Committee to contribute to enterprise-level legal oversight.

• Identify and evaluate legal risks arising from contractual positions and advise the business to inform appropriate decisions.

• Support and advise MATAR departments on legal matters related to contract interpretation and implementation to ensure compliance with legal standards.

• Provide proactive legal assistance and commercial legal advice to protect MATAR's interests and reputation, while maintaining an arm's length approach when advising on agreements between MATAR and QR Group entities.

• Advise on strategies to minimize liability and legal exposure across MATAR's operations.

• Review and update departmental legal templates, standard terms, and conditions to meet evolving legal requirements.

• Support the QR Group Dispute & Litigation Team, in the resolution of legal disputes through litigation, arbitration, or settlement to safeguard MATAR's legal position and interests.

• Liaise with QR Group external legal counsel on specific matters to ensure quality legal support.

• Perform additional legal duties as assigned by the Head of Department to support department objectives.

• Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with stakeholders and senior management across MATAR and QR.

• Support, propose, and implement approved business process improvements and service level agreements to facilitate achieving high performance standards.

• Perform other department duties related to his/her position as directed by the Head of the Department.

About you:

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent with Minimum 10 years of job- related experience.
• Law Degree.
• Multi-disciplinary exposure (e.g., IT, facilities, commercial).
• Previous experience as a corporate lawyer or lead counsel.
• Ability to articulate strategic views and provide advice to top management.
• Excellent legal drafting and negotiation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex legal matters and take direction from senior management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and/or Arabic.
• Analytical thinking and sound judgment with high standards of integrity.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects under pressure.
• Ability to learn new areas of law quickly, effectively and assimilate facts accurately.
• Strong managerial skills: ability to delegate, coach, and guide junior legal staff while managing workflow and priorities.

• Ability to apply commercial acumen to assess legal impact on business operations and reputational risk.

• Managerial skills - Ability to delegate work, set clear direction and manage workflow. Strong mentoring and coaching skills. Ability to train and develop subordinate's skills. Ability to foster teamwork among team members.