Legal Manager - Middle East

Company Description

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 98,000 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Legal Manager for Middle East to support our operations across the region. This role plays a critical part in safeguarding the business while enabling operational and commercial growth in a highly regulated, risk-sensitive industry.

The successful candidate will partner closely with regional leadership, operations, and commercial teams to manage contractual, regulatory, and compliance risks across multiple jurisdictions.

Job Description

• Provide legal support for different business lines across the Middle East
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial contracts, including framework agreements, service contracts, tenders, and joint ventures
• Advise on regulatory compliance and industry-specific legal requirements
• Identify legal risks and propose mitigation strategies to protect business interests
• Support bid reviews and major project tenders, ensuring contractual risk mitigation
• Manage claims, disputes, and external counsel across jurisdictions
• Oversee legal aspects of subcontractor agreements, liability clauses, indemnities, and insurance provisions
• Ensure compliance with local labor laws, commercial regulations, and corporate governance standards
• Develop contract templates and legal guidelines aligned with group policies
• Conduct legal risk training for commercial and operational teams
• Liaise with government bodies, regulatory authorities, and external counsels
  
  

• Qualified lawyer with 15+ years of experience (in-house experience is a must preferably within services, industrial, engineering, energy, or TIC sectors)
• Strong background in commercial contracts, risk allocation, and regulatory compliance
• Experience working across multiple Middle East/GCC jurisdictions is mandatory
• Solid understanding of liability management in technical services environments
• Business-oriented, pragmatic, and solutions-driven
• High integrity, discretion, and ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience
• Fluent in English. Arabic is an added value.