5 Head Of Legal jobs in Qatar

Job title

Head of Legal - MATAR

Ref #

Location

Qatar - Doha

Job family

Corporate & Commercial

• Closing date: 21-Oct-2025

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.

Qualifications
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.

About Qatar Airways Group
Our story started with four aircraft. Today, we deliver excellence across 12 different businesses coming together as one. We've grown fast, broken records and set trends that others follow. We don't slow down by the fear of failure. Instead, we dare to achieve what's never been done before.

So whether you're creating a unique experience for our customers or innovating behind the scenes, every person contributes to our proud story. A story of spectacular growth and determination. Now is the time to bring your best ideas and passion to a place where your ambition will know no boundaries, and be part of a truly global community.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior management, business unit heads, and external stakeholders to ensure the company operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Providing expert legal advice to the business on a wide range of legal and commercial matters while ensuring legal compliance and reducing contractual risks. Working on a team manager level, the incumbent will take responsibility for negotiating, drafting and reviewing all contracts and agreements and representing the company whenever required and as directed by the management.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, laws dealing with commercial contract administration particularly contract negotiation, preparation and administration

• Proven track record of successfully managing legal teams and implementing effective policies and controls

• Ability to provide sound legal advice to management on technical matters

• Strong attention to detail, planning, and organization skills

• High degree of professional ethics and integrity

• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage competing deadlines

• Ability to think strategically and provide solutions to complex legal and regulatory issues

Education & Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in Law with specialization in corporate or commercial law is essential

• Master's Degree in Law or Business will be an added advantage

Experience

• 10+ years of proven experience as legal counsel in a commercial environment

• Minimum 5 years' experience, ideally in a leading organization with a proven track record in contract negotiation and drafting

• Demonstrated native-level proficiency in English and professional fluency in the local language, supporting cross-border legal operations.

ind Job Title:
Group General Counsel

Location:
Qatar

Role Overview:

A senior executive leadership role responsible for defining the group's legal strategy, governance, and compliance framework, ensuring enterprise-wide risk mitigation, and enabling sustainable global growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the chief legal advisor to the Board and Executive Leadership Team, guiding strategic decisions.
• Lead corporate governance, compliance, and legal risk management across all entities and jurisdictions.
• Oversee all legal aspects of M&A, joint ventures, and cross-border transactions.
• Provide counsel on regulatory affairs, corporate structure, IP, data protection, and employment law.
• Represent the group in legal proceedings, negotiations, and engagements with regulatory bodies.
• Build and mentor a high-performing legal team aligned with business strategy.
• Drive contract governance and oversee review, drafting, and negotiation of complex agreements.
• Implement legal technology and best practices to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Foster strong relationships with regulators, government agencies, and external counsel.
• Champion continuous improvement in governance frameworks and legal risk reporting.

Qualifications:

• LLB (Master's in Law/Business preferred) with 15+ years of senior legal experience, including 5+ years at executive level in an international organization.
• Proven expertise in M&A, governance, compliance, and commercial transactions.
• Exceptional strategic, commercial, and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluency in English required; Arabic is an advantage.

Job Details

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Key Relationships

• Internal: Board of Directors, CEO, Executive Leadership Team, SBU & BSU Heads
• External: Regulators, government agencies, law firms, strategic partners, and international authorities

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

• Act as the chief legal advisor to the executive leadership, shaping corporate strategy with legal insight and foresight.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of group-wide governance, compliance, and legal/reputational risk management frameworks.
• Oversee the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships, including cross-border transactions.
• Provide expert counsel on corporate structure, regulatory affairs, data protection, intellectual property, and employment law.
• Ensure proactive compliance with evolving legal landscapes, including international trade, competition, and regulatory frameworks.
• Serve as the principal representative of the company in legal proceedings, negotiations, and government or regulatory engagements.

Operational & Leadership Responsibilities

• Build, lead and mentor a high-performing legal team, fostering commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and collaborative partnership. Oversee and manage all legal matters across AH, including its subsidiaries and portfolio companies.
• Review, negotiate, and draft complex commercial contracts and agreements to mitigate risk and protect the company's interests. Establish standardised legal templates, policies, and governance structures across all subsidiaries.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to identify legal risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Drive continuous legal innovation by leveraging legal technology, knowledge management tools, and best practices.
• Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB) with specialisation in corporate or commercial law; Master's in Law or Business preferred.
• Minimum 15 years' senior legal experience, including at least 5 years at executive or general counsel level in a complex, international organisation.
• Proven expertise in corporate governance, commercial transactions, M&A, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated experience influencing board-level decisions and partnering with C-suite executives.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and the ability to translate complex legal issues into actionable business strategy.
• Fluency in English is essential; Arabic language will be an advantage.

Skills
Strategic & Commercial Acumen

• Governance & Compliance Expertise
• Contract & Transactional Excellence
• Regulatory and Policy Insight
• Leadership & Stakeholder Influence
• Risk Management & Decision-Making
• Communication & Negotiation
• International Mindset
• Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB) with specialisation in corporate or commercial law; Master's in Law or Business preferred.
• Minimum 15 years' senior legal experience, including at least 5 years at executive or general counsel level in a complex, international organisation.
• Proven expertise in corporate governance, commercial transactions, M&A, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated experience influencing board-level decisions and partnering with C-suite executives.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and the ability to translate complex legal issues into actionable business strategy.
• Fluency in English is essential; Arabic language will be an advantage.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives & Key Results
Key Area
Key Objectives
Key Results
Governance, Compliance & Risk Management Strengthen and enhance the existing governance framework to ensure continued compliance and proactive risk mitigation across all subsidiaries and jurisdictions.

• Governance framework reviewed and approved by the Board within 6 months.
• 100% of entities adopt updated compliance policies and procedures.
• Zero material regulatory breaches or penalties reported annually.
• Quarterly legal risk register submitted to the Board.

Strategic Legal Advisory &

Business Enablement

Provide proactive legal support that enables strategic growth, new market entry, and major business initiatives

• Legal input delivered on 100% of strategic projects (M&A, JVs, partnerships).
• Contribute to at least 3 strategic growth initiatives with demonstrable risk mitigation.
• 90%+ satisfaction rating from the Executive Committee and business units on legal advisory support.

M&A and Transactional

Leadership

Lead legal due diligence and execution for mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions

• Legal due diligence completed for 100% of targeted transactions.
• All transaction documents drafted and finalised within agreed timelines.
• Post-deal legal integration checklist completed with zero critical issues identified.

Contracting & Commercial

Excellence

Strengthen contract governance and improve efficiency, speed, and risk mitigation in all commercial agreements

• 95% of contracts reviewed and finalised within SLA timelines.
• Contract dispute incidents reduced by at least 20% year-on-year.
• Centralised contract management system implemented with >90% adoption.

Leadership & External

Stakeholder Engagement

Build a high-performing legal function and maintain strong relationships with regulators, authorities, and external

counsel.

• Legal department engagement score >85%.
• Preferred panel of external counsel established, reducing legal costs by 15%.
• Regular engagement with key regulators maintained (minimum 2 formal meetings annually per jurisdiction).

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