Legal Counsel

Cygnify is assisting a Dubai-based, publicly listed property developer in finding a commercially minded Legal Counsel to join the team onsite.

The role sits with a well-established player in the emirate’s growth and transformation, focused on integrated, master-planned destinations that blend lifestyle, sustainability and long-term value. It’s a full-time, on-site position in Dubai, and the successful candidate will support the Senior Legal Director and the broader management team across contracts, governance, and intellectual property matters. This is a good fit for a practitioner who enjoys having a direct say in commercial agreements and governance policy within a high-profile real estate group.

Drafting deals and guiding governance in a Dubai-listed property developer

Day to day, you’ll draft, review and negotiate a broad range of legal agreements, offering practical advice to internal teams on routine matters and large transactions alike. You’ll help shape internal policies and interpret them in a way that protects the business while keeping commercial goals in sight. The role also involves monitoring legislation that could affect the company, maintaining templates and databases for the Legal Department, and assisting with company formations and general secretarial duties for entities the group creates or operates.

Collaboration with external counsel will be part of the job, covering matters that can include contentious issues, and you may be asked to stand in for the Senior Legal Director or other team members from time to time. An ongoing commitment to health, safety and environmental compliance is part of the duties, ensuring the company’s policies stay aligned with regulatory expectations and internal standards.

What you need to bring to the table

• Qualified in a Common Law jurisdiction (e.g. UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or similar)
• 4-6 years post-qualification experience with a focus on real estate, property development or construction
• A proven track record in negotiating and drafting complex commercial contracts
• Experience advising property, construction or real estate businesses
• Exposure to multi-jurisdiction regulatory environments

Where this sits on your calendar and in the world

Location: Dubai, AE

Work arrangement: onsite

Job type: full-time

Tips to win this Legal Counsel role

Lead with your Common Law qualification and the 4-6 years of PQE in real estate or construction on your resume, and call out any direct experience with drafting or negotiating complex commercial contracts

Show concrete examples of how you advised on property or real estate matters and how you handled multi-jurisdiction regulatory issues, including any interaction with external counsel on contentious matters

Prepare to talk through a policy you drafted or helped implement, and describe how you’ve supported governance or company secretarial duties for corporate entities

Ask a thoughtful question about governance frameworks and how the team collaborates with external counsel on multi-jurisdiction projects, or about the company’s approach to Health, Safety and Environmental compliance in large property developments