Summary
OQ is hiring a Principal Legal Counsel in Muscat to provide expert advice on complex commercial, contractual, regulatory and operational matters. The role leads legal work on strategic transactions, complex agreements, material disputes and legal risk mitigation, while reviewing colleagues’ work and mentoring legal team members. Applicants must hold an LLB or equivalent and be qualified through admission to a recognized Bar or equivalent body. The posting requires 10–12 years of relevant experience and excellent written and spoken English.
The posting
As published on oq.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Job title
Principal Legal Counsel
Grade
Stream
Legal
Function
Legal
Location
Oman – Muscat
Budget control
*OPEX and/or CAPEX and/or Revenue amount as relevant*
Reporting to
Manager Legal
Direct Reports
0
Job purpose
Act as a senior technical legal authority, providing expert advice and leading complex, sensitive and strategically significant legal matters. Accountable for the delivery of legal support of major transactions, high-risk contractual arrangements and material legal disputes. Accountable for the delivery of legal support on major transaction, high-risk contractual arrangements and material legal disputes, while providing technical guidance, quality review and mentoring to other legal professionals.
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
- Provide legal advice on complex commercial, contractual, regulatory, and operational matters.
- Advise on the legal implications of strategic business decisions, including alternative transaction structures and associated risk allocation.
- Develop legal strategies for managing material disputes, contentious matters and complex contractual exposures.
- Review and provide technical challenge on significant legal advice, legal opinions and contractual positions prepared by other team members.
- Lead legal workstreams on major acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, restructuring, financing arrangements and other strategic transactions, as assigned
- Lead the drafting, review, negotiation, and execution of complex agreements and legal documentation.
- Support major transactions, investments, partnerships, financing arrangements, and strategic projects.
- Conduct legal assessments and provide recommendations to support management decision-making.
- Interpret laws, regulations, and legal developments and advise stakeholders on business implications.
- Identify legal risks and develop mitigation strategies to protect the organization's interests.
- Lead legal due diligence activities and assess legal exposures and obligations.
- Manage complex contractual disputes, claims, and legal issues.
- Coordinate, direct and challenge external legal counsel on specialized legal matters.
- Develop legal guidance, templates, and best practices to strengthen legal consistency.
- Review and validate legal analyses and recommendations prepared by junior team members.
- Coach and mentor Legal team members.
- Identify opportunities to improve legal effectiveness and support business objectives.
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 10-12 years of experience with a recognized law firm and/or in-house legal and compliance function within a recognised corporate entity
- Extensive experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
- Experience supporting strategic projects, transactions, disputes, and legal risk mitigation initiatives.
- Experience supporting strategic investments, mergers and acquisitions, and financing transactions, including legal due diligence, transaction structuring, negotiation and documentation.
- Strong understanding of applicable laws, regulations, and commercial legal practices.
Soft:
- Ability to think strategically and align legal advice with business priorities.
- Ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders on complex legal matters.
- Strong negotiation and relationship management capabilities.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in high-risk and ambiguous situations.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to coach, mentor, and develop legal talent.
- Demonstrates the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Technical Competencies:
- Ability to provide expert legal advice on complex commercial and regulatory matters.
- Ability to lead negotiations and develop commercially sound legal solutions.
- Strong knowledge of contract law, regulatory requirements, and legal risk management.
- Ability to assess complex legal risks and recommend effective mitigation strategies.
- Ability to support strategic transactions, disputes, investigations, and business initiatives.
- Ability to interpret legislative and regulatory developments and advise on business implications.
- Ability to establish legal standards, guidance, and best practices.