General Counsel – Corporate M&A - Investment Company

Overview:We are supporting a newly established investment and media holding group based in Abu Dhabi. With ambitious growth plans and an entrepreneurial setup, the group is expanding its senior leadership bench to build out governance, legal, and transactional expertise. The entity is backed by experienced partners with strong sector networks and is positioned to pursue opportunistic investments and strategic partnerships across the UAE and international markets.As part of its early build-out, the firm is seeking a General Counsel with a strong background in corporate M&A. This is a pivotal role for a professional who can establish internal legal infrastructure and provide strategic counsel on complex transactions.Key Responsibilities:Lead and oversee all corporate legal matters, including M&A transactions, joint ventures, and partnershipsAdvise senior management on structuring, negotiation, and execution of deals in the UAE and abroadDraft, review, and negotiate investment agreements, shareholder agreements, and commercial contractsEstablish and implement governance and compliance frameworks across the group’s entitiesAct as primary liaison with external law firms and regulatory bodiesBuild and lead an internal legal function in line with the group’s expansion strategyCandidate Requirements:10+ years of legal experience split between top-tier international law firms and in-house corporate/M&A rolesStrong technical expertise in cross-border M&A, corporate structuring, and joint venturesProven track record advising senior stakeholders in dynamic, entrepreneurial environmentsUAE or GCC transactional exposure preferred; international deal experience highly valuedPragmatic, hands-on mindset with ability to operate in a small but growing setupOpportunity:Join a newly created holding group at a formative stage, shaping its legal and governance platformDirect exposure to high-level investment strategy and decision-makingWork closely with experienced partners and investors with strong networks in the UAEOpportunity to build and lead the legal function in a fast-scaling organisation