Job description

Job Purpose

At Emirates Group, we connect the world through our global hub in Dubai, ensuring our customers always ‘Fly Better.’ As one of the most recognised and admired groups globally, we’re driven by innovation and excellence.

We are seeking an experienced commercial lawyer to join Group Legal as an Assistant General Counsel, providing strategic legal support across dnata Airport Operations globally and leading some of the M&A and joint venture activity for dnata worldwide as part of the Emirates Group. This role is suited to a lawyer with strong transactional depth, excellent legal judgement and the ability to operate confidently in a complex, fast‑paced, multinational business environment.

The selected candidate will provide legal advice and support to allocated dnata airport operations internal client departments and associated dnata companies within the Emirates Group (the “Group”) on a wide range of corporate, M&A, joint venture and commercial contract matters including airport operations commercial contracts. The role reports to a senior lawyer within Group Legal and works closely with other lawyers, and legal professionals across the department, in addition to other professionals within the Group.

In this role, you will:

• Act as a primary legal adviser, or one of the primary points of contact, within Group Legal for dnata Airport Operations, providing end‑to‑end legal support from a commercial contracting perspective across its global footprint, and Group‑wide M&A and joint venture transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, restructurings and strategic partnerships in multiple jurisdictions.
• Support and lead (if required) the negotiation, drafting, reviewing, structuring and execution of complex commercial contracts, including services agreements, supplier and outsourcing contracts, operational agreements and strategic commercial arrangements and concessions relevant to airport operations and associated businesses.
• Provide legal support in connection with RFP’s, tenders and bid processes, including government and public-sector tenders across multiple jurisdictions for airport operations opportunities where advising on legal risk, compliance and contractual positions is required.
• Advise on and manage M&A and JV transactions, including due diligence, transaction structuring, drafting and negotiation of share purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements, joint venture agreements and related ancillary documentation.
• Act as a subject matter expert within Group Legal for allocated areas of legal work, including corporate, M&A, JV and commercial work, providing guidance and support across the Group.
• Act as a primary point of contact for allocated internal clients, developing a strong understanding of their businesses and delivering practical, commercially focused legal advice and support aligned with the Group’s strategic objectives.
• Support and manage (if required) investigations, litigation, disputes or regulatory matters related to allocated businesses, including coordination with external counsel.
• Monitor and advise on changes in relevant domestic and international laws affecting commercial operations, transactions and corporate structures.
• Advise Group senior management on legal risk, liability exposure and risk mitigation strategies, legal structures particularly in the context of complex commercial arrangements and cross‑border transactions.
• Manage and coordinate external legal counsel globally, including budget management and procurement of legal advice at overseas stations, subject to internal approvals.
• Work collaboratively with commercial, finance and operational teams, leading cross‑functional project teams on major transactions and initiatives.
• Operate effectively with broad objectives and limited supervision, prioritising competing demands and delivering high‑quality outcomes under tight deadlines. Overseas travel may be required.

To be considered for this position, you must meet the following requirements:

• Qualified lawyer with a minimum of 5 years’ post‑qualification experience, with demonstrated strength in Commercial contracts, ideally in a multinational or operationally intensive environment; AND Mergers & acquisitions and joint ventures.
• Bachelor’s degree in Law (or equivalent); a postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• Experience advising on cross‑border transactions and working with international stakeholders and external counsel.
• Strong command of English language (written and spoken) is essential, as all legal work, documentation and communication is conducted in English.

You’ll have an edge if you have:

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder‑management skills.
• A pragmatic, solutions‑focused approach and the confidence to advise senior leadership.
• Experience in aviation, airport operations, logistics or related sectors is advantageous.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, global organisation.

At Emirates Group, we’re committed to helping our people grow and thrive. If you’re looking for a high‑impact legal role with exposure to global operations and strategic transactions, we encourage you to apply.

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Join us in a management role and enjoy an attractive tax‑free salary, generous travel benefits, excellent leave and healthcare, transport benefits, life insurance and more. Discover what it’s like to live and work in our fast‑paced, cosmopolitan home city in the Dubai Lifestyle section of our website: www.emirates.com/careers.