Job description

JOB PURPOSE:

The Legal Director will provide high-level legal guidance and expertise to the company’s executive leadership and operational teams, overseeing the management of legal and contractual risks. This role will ensure that the company’s activities comply with all applicable laws and regulations while managing risks, resolving disputes, and maintaining a robust legal framework that supports business operations. The Legal Director will also lead the corporate governance and compliance functions, ensuring that legal strategies are aligned with the company’s overall goals.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Planning:

• Develop and execute the Legal department’s strategy to ensure its alignment with the overall goals of the organization, maintaining both vertical alignment with divisional objectives and horizontal integration across departments.
• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of corporate policies that align with legal requirements, organizational objectives, and industry best practices, ensuring comprehensive risk management.
• Direct the legal function’s priorities and work plans, ensuring that all activities and resources are optimized to meet the company's needs.
• Ensure the Legal department is equipped with the tools, systems, and processes necessary to operate efficiently and effectively in a rapidly changing legal landscape.

Legal Risk Management and Compliance:

• Provide strategic leadership in managing legal risks, advising on corporate governance, legal documentation, dispute resolution, and ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
• Lead the development and enforcement of policies that govern legal compliance, risk management, and internal controls, while providing practical legal advice on strategic initiatives.
• Advise senior management on the legal implications of business strategies, ensuring that risks are effectively mitigated, and that the organization operates within the boundaries of the law.
• Manage and oversee the legal aspects of major business transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and partnerships, ensuring that these are executed in a legally sound and risk-conscious manner.
• Lead corporate litigation efforts, managing claims, disputes, and litigation matters while ensuring that legal strategies are effectively executed to protect the organization’s interests.
• Provide comprehensive legal support in negotiating, drafting, and reviewing contracts, ensuring that all agreements align with the company’s best interests and legal requirements.
• Maintain all legal documents in a structured manner providing for ease of reference and retrieval whilst ensuring confidentiality is always maintained.
• Liaise with external counsel on complex legal matters and due diligence processes.
• Support internal teams (investment, finance, operations, compliance) with legal guidance as needed.
• Drafting all ancillary documents for registering companies (SPVs) and restructuring transactions in line with the Omani Commercial Companies Laws for each approved project.
• Update the status of SPVs with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion as per the company's objectives. This includes increasing share capital, amending list of authorized managers, sale and purchase of shares, etc.

Corporate Governance and Board Support:

• Act as the Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors, overseeing all corporate governance activities, ensuring compliance with corporate laws and regulations, and ensuring proper record-keeping of Board activities.
• Organize and facilitate Board meetings, including preparing agendas, notices, and resolutions, and taking and maintaining accurate minutes.
• Provide counsel to the Board and senior management on governance issues, corporate structures, and compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations.
• Ensure timely and effective communication between the Board and senior leadership, ensuring that governance matters are handled efficiently.
• Organize and facilitate AGMs, EGMs, and OGMs applicable to Oman Food Capital SAOC including preparing agendas, notices, and resolutions, and taking and maintaining accurate minutes.

People and Talent Development:

• Lead the recruitment, development, and retention of top-tier legal talent, ensuring the department is staffed with professionals who possess the expertise and drive to meet the organization's legal needs.
• Foster a high-performance culture within the Legal department, focusing on capability development, continuous improvement, and accountability.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to the legal team, promoting a culture of professionalism, integrity, and operational excellence.
• Drive performance management processes, ensuring regular feedback, performance reviews, and career development for all team members. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized local or international university.
• Master’s in Law or relevant advanced legal qualifications is preferred.

Experience:

• 12 years of relevant experience, preferably within a corporate environment, with exposure to complex corporate transactions, litigation, and compliance matters

Technical Competencies:

• Legal and Regulatory Framework
• Legal Risk Management
• Litigation / Dispute Resolution
• Legal Investigation
• Legal Documentation and Archiving
• Legal Drafting and Review
• Report Management
• Policies and Procedures

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking
• Collaboration
• Prioritization
• Nurturing Talent
• Drive and Resilience
• Leading Change
• External Context
• Impact and Influencing
• Decision Making
• Personal Development