Summary
OQ is seeking a Legal Manager based in Muscat to lead legal advisory and compliance services across the organisation. The role oversees complex negotiations, transactions, disputes, legal risks, external counsel and the development of legal standards, while advising executive management on significant matters. The manager leads and develops a team of four direct reports and works with internal business units and external stakeholders. Applicants need an LLB or equivalent, qualification as a lawyer, excellent English, and at least 8–10 years of relevant experience.
The posting
As published on oq.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Job title
Manager Legal
Grade
Stream
Legal
Function
Legal
Location
Oman – Muscat
Budget control
*OPEX and/or CAPEX and/or Revenue amount as relevant*
Reporting to
VP Legal Corporate
Direct Reports
4
Job purpose
Lead and manage the delivery of legal advisory and compliance services across the organisation, ensuring timely, consistent and commercially sound legal support aligned with business priorities.. Accountable for the performance and development of the Legal team , allocation of legal resources , oversight of material legal risks, and effective management of legal matters and external counsel.
The position will act in accordance with the Group’s Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, as well as, policies, guidelines, and standards, supported by an IT Technology platform, HSE standards, Omani’s government & other legal justifications, and best international practices in consonance with national objectives.
Main tasks and responsibilities
- Lead the provision of legal advice and guidance on strategic, commercial, contractual, regulatory, and operational matters.
- Oversee and provide direction on complex negotiations, agreements, disputes, and sensitive legal matters.
- Lead legal support for strategic projects, investments, partnerships, financing arrangements, and major commercial transactions.
- Direct legal risk management activities and ensure proactive identification and mitigation of legal exposures.
- Provide strategic legal advice, risk assessments and recommendations to executive management on significant business decisions, material legal exposures and emerging legal developments.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, contractual obligations, and organizational requirements.
- Oversee litigation, disputes, claims, investigations, and engagement with external legal counsel.
- Oversee the development and approval of legal standards, templates, guidance and best practices to ensure consistency and quality of legal advice across the organization
- Establish legal standards, templates, guidance, and best practices across the organization.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and assess their impact on the organization.
- Build and maintain relationships with regulators, external counsel, and key stakeholders.
- Support the development of legal awareness and compliance culture across the organization.
- Identify and drive improvements in legal service delivery, in co-ordination with Legal Operations & Strategy, to enhance efficiency, responsiveness and effectiveness. .
Key interactions
Internal: OQ SAOC Streams & Assets
External: Staffing specialized Contractors, Vendors & Suppliers
Notable Working Conditions. Office environment, intensive computer screen use, sporadic visits to operation site.
Education requirements
- LLB or equivalent from a reputable university or law school with admission to a recognized civil or common law Bar (or equivalent body), in other words, qualified as a lawyer/solicitor/barrister.
Language
Excellent written and spoken English is a must.
Background and experience
Competencies and skills
- A minimum of 8-10 years of experience with a recognized law firm and/or in-house legal and compliance function within a recognised corporate entity
- Extensive experience in legal advisory, contract negotiations, dispute resolution, and legal risk management.
- Proven experience supporting executive management on strategic legal matters.
- Strong experience managing external legal counsel and high-value legal matters.
Soft:
- Ability to align legal priorities with organizational strategy and business objectives.
- Ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing legal teams.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing capabilities across senior leadership levels.
- Strong commercial judgment and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management capabilities.
- Ability to lead change and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrates exceptional integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
Technical Competencies:
- Ability to lead the provision of strategic legal advice across complex commercial and regulatory matters.
- Ability to oversee major negotiations, transactions, disputes, and high-risk legal matters.
- Strong knowledge of legal and regulatory frameworks impacting business operations.
- Ability to develop and implement legal risk management and compliance programs.
- Ability to advise executive management on legal exposures and business implications.
- Ability to evaluate emerging legal developments and their organizational impact.
- Ability to drive legal excellence and continuous improvement across the legal function.