Job Purpose:

The Head of Legal is responsible for leading the Group's legal function, safeguarding the Company's legal interests, minimizing legal and regulatory risk, and providing commercially focused legal advice that supports INDPT's strategic growth. The role oversees all legal, governance and compliance matters across the Group, including corporate structuring, commercial transactions, employment law, real estate, litigation, regulatory compliance and international expansion. The Head of Legal partners closely with the Executive Team to ensure the business operates within a robust legal and governance framework while enabling sustainable growth across existing and future markets.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Legal Advisory

• Serve as the principal legal advisor to the Executive Team and senior leadership.
• Provide commercially sound legal advice to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Advise on legal risks associated with new brands, international expansion, acquisitions, investments and strategic initiatives.
• Translate complex legal matters into practical business recommendations.

Corporate & Strategic Legal Affairs

• Lead the legal establishment and incorporation of new companies and legal entities across existing and future international markets.
• Design, review and implement the Group's legal structure, including restructurings, holding structures, entity consolidations and corporate reorganizations.
• Lead all corporate governance activities across the Group, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory and shareholder obligations.
• Manage corporate records, board resolutions, shareholder resolutions, powers of attorney and statutory filings.
• Advise the Executive Team on governance best practices and corporate legal strategy.

Corporate Transactions

• Lead, draft, review and negotiate complex corporate transactions, including and not limited to:

o Shareholder Agreements

o Joint Venture (JV) Agreements

o Franchise Agreements

o Management Agreements

o Strategic Partnership Agreements

o Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

o Investment Agreements

o Business acquisitions and disposals

• Conduct legal due diligence and manage transaction execution through completion.
• Support strategic growth initiatives through legally sound transaction structures.

Commercial Contracts

• Draft, review and negotiate all commercial agreements across the Group, including and not limited to:

o Supplier Agreements

o Consultancy Agreements

o Licensing Agreements

o Marketing Agreements

o Technology & Software Agreements

o Service Agreements

o Confidentiality Agreements (NDAs)

o Procurement Agreements

o Design Agreements

• Develop and maintain standardized contract templates and legal documentation across the business.

Real Estate & Development

• Lead all legal matters relating to the Group's real estate portfolio.
• Review and negotiate lease agreements for new and existing locations.
• Manage landlord negotiations, commercial lease matters and development agreements.
• Handle rent disputes, eviction notices and other real estate-related legal matters.
• Support the Expansion and Development teams on all legal aspects of restaurant openings, relocations and property acquisitions.

Employment Law & Employee Relations

• Provide legal guidance on all employment-related matters across the Group.
• Advise on:

o Labour law compliance

o Employment contracts

o Disciplinary actions

o Investigations

o Employee grievances

o Terminations

o Settlement agreements

o Labour disputes

• Support HR in managing complex employee relations matters while ensuring compliance with applicable labour laws across all operating jurisdictions.
• Handle all labor related disputes in court

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Lead all litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution matters involving the Group.
• Develop legal strategies that minimize financial, operational and reputational risk.
• Manage external legal counsel and oversee litigation budgets.
• Negotiate settlements where commercially appropriate.

Compliance, Risk & Internal Investigations

• Develop and maintain the Group's Legal & Compliance Framework.
• Identify legal risks across all business functions and implement mitigation strategies.
• Lead internal investigations involving misconduct, fraud, conflicts of interest, ethical concerns and regulatory matters.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, licensing requirements and industry standards across all operating jurisdictions.
• Support internal audit and governance initiatives where required.

Intellectual Property

• Protect and manage the Group's intellectual property portfolio.
• Oversee trademark registrations, renewals and enforcement.
• Advise on licensing, brand protection and intellectual property disputes.

Policies, Procedures & Governance

• Develop, implement and continuously update company-wide legal policies, governance frameworks and standard operating procedures.
• Establish legal approval matrices, delegated authorities and contract governance processes.
• Ensure legal documentation and policies remain aligned with regulatory changes and business requirements.
• Deliver legal awareness and compliance training to leadership and key business functions.

External Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with external law firms, regulatory authorities, government entities, landlords, investors and strategic partners.
• Select, appoint and oversee external legal advisors while ensuring cost-effective legal support.
• Represent the Company in legal negotiations and discussions with external stakeholders.

Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop the Legal & Compliance Department.
• Set departmental objectives, priorities and performance expectations.
• Allocate resources effectively and monitor team performance.
• Manage the departmental budget and optimize external legal expenditure.
• Foster a culture of integrity, accountability and proactive legal risk management.

Regional Responsibilities

• Support legal operations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Kingdom and future expansion markets.
• Ensure compliance with local legislation while maintaining consistent legal governance standards across all jurisdictions.
• Coordinate with regional external legal advisors on cross-border legal matters.
• Support international expansion through entity establishment, licensing, regulatory compliance and transaction execution.

Job Requirements:

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB).
• Qualified lawyer admitted to practice in a recognized jurisdiction.
• Master's degree in law (LLM) preferred.
• Membership in a recognized Bar Association.

Experience

• 12–15+ years of post-qualification legal experience.
• Minimum 5 years leading an in-house legal function or serving in a senior legal leadership role.
• Experience within hospitality, retail, consumer goods or multi-brand organizations is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in:

o Corporate law

o Commercial contracts

o Corporate governance

o Mergers & Acquisitions

o Shareholder and investment agreements

o Franchising

o Joint ventures

o Employment law

o Real estate and leasing

o Regulatory compliance

o Litigation management