Director Of Legal Affairs Office

About the University of Sharjah

The University of Sharjah is committed to providing a world-class educational experience that prepares lifelong learners and leaders with integrated knowledge and skills. We are passionate about building a collaborative and sustainable environment that cultivates twenty-first-century skills and fosters pioneering research and scholarship. We seek to serve the current and future needs of our local community and beyond by offering innovative academic and professional programs.

Since its foundation in 1997, the University has successfully become one of the top Universities in the UAE and has managed to make its mark in the educational and research industry worldwide united by six core values: Integrity and Ethics, Dedication, Inclusiveness, Excellence with limitless Drive, Accountability and Transparency, and Innovation and Creativity.

The University of Sharjah believes in the crucial role of scientific research in the development of the modern United Arab Emirates. Since its establishment, the university has put research at the top of its list of priorities. Part of the university's strategy is to promote research among faculty members in all colleges, with the aim of attracting outstanding faculty with impressive research accomplishments.

The University of Sharjah’s Rankings:

251-300 in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023

Among the top 200 universities globally (176-200) in The World University Rankings 2023 by Subjects

Among the best #121 universities in Asia In News Best Global Universities Rankings 2022/2023

=89th in The Young University Rankings in 2022

#61 The Emerging Economies University Rankings in 2022

Among the top 10 best Arab universities The Arab University Rankings 2022

About the Role

As a Head of Legal Affairs Office and a member of Chancellor’s Office you are expected to strategically lead and oversee the University of Sharjah's legal affairs, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and the University's bylaws, policies, and regulations. This role is responsible for providing strategic legal counsel to the Chancellor and University units, safeguarding the University's legal interests, overseeing legal risks, agreements, disputes, investigations, and legal representation, and ensuring that all legal matters are managed effectively in accordance with delegated authorities.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Legal Advisory & Governance

1. Provide strategic legal advice and consultation to the Chancellor and relevant University leadership on complex legal matters, legal risks, and the interpretation and application of applicable legislation, University bylaws, regulations, policies, and decisions.

2. Identify significant legal implications and risks arising from matters referred to the Office and provide the Chancellor with appropriate legal assessment, recommendations, and mitigation options.

3. Oversee the drafting, reviewing, and updating of university policies, regulations, and executive decisions to ensure full compliance with UAE federal and local laws.

4. Provide or oversee legal advice on specialized institutional matters, including intellectual property, data protection and privacy, conflicts of interest, and other areas carrying significant legal or reputational exposure.

5. Establish appropriate legal review standards, protocols, and controls for matters referred to the Office, and provide the Chancellor with periodic reporting on significant legal cases, disputes, investigations, risks, and matters requiring executive direction.

6. Monitor relevant legislative and regulatory developments and advise the Chancellor and concerned University entities on significant implications and required actions.

Contracts, Agreements & Legal Commitments

7. Oversee the legal review of contracts, memoranda of understanding, partnership and research agreements, and other institutional commitments referred to the Office, ensuring appropriate protection of the University's legal interests.

8. Provide legal advice on significant contractual matters, including obligations, liabilities, negotiations, amendments, termination, disputes, and associated risks, and escalate matters requiring executive direction or approval.

Dispute Resolution and Litigation Management

9. Direct the legal strategy and oversight of claims, disputes, litigation, and other legal proceedings involving the University, ensuring appropriate protection of the University's interests.

10. Oversee the engagement and performance of external legal counsel, where required, ensuring appropriate expertise, quality of service, cost effectiveness, and effective management of assigned legal matters.

11. Ensure the appropriate preparation, legal quality, and sufficiency of case files, legal briefs, pleadings, evidence, and other submissions required for legal proceedings.

12. Serve as the primary authorized point of contact with relevant government, judicial, regulatory, and legal authorities on significant legal matters concerning the University, in accordance with delegated authorities.

Investigations and Compliance

13. Direct or provide legal oversight of complex or sensitive investigations involving employees, students, or other University stakeholders, ensuring appropriate legal and procedural requirements are observed.

14. Review investigation outcomes from a legal and procedural perspective and provide recommendations regarding proposed disciplinary or corrective actions to the appropriate decision-making authority.

15. Advise University committees and relevant stakeholders on significant disciplinary, grievance, misconduct, and compliance matters requiring legal interpretation.

Departmental Leadership and Operations

16. Lead the development and execution of the Legal Affairs Office's business and operational plans, aligning departmental objectives with the University's overarching strategic goals.

17. Lead, supervise, and develop Legal Affairs Office staff, ensuring appropriate workload allocation, professional standards, accountability, and quality of legal support.

18. Drive the enhancement of internal legal workflows, standard operating procedures, and archiving systems to promote best practices and ease of information access.

19. Perform any other strategic or operational duties as assigned by the Line Manager, ensuring alignment with the department's objectives and the University's broader institutional priorities.

Job Requirements

• Expert ability to draft, review, and finalize high-value commercial contracts, MoUs, court pleadings, and executive memorandums with complete fluency in both Arabic and English technical legal terminology.
• Deep knowledge of UAE federal/local legislation and university governance frameworks to review, enforce, and align internal bylaws, executive decisions, and policies.
• Advanced competency in leading complex, unbiased administrative hearings, evaluating physical/testimonial evidence, and formulating defensible investigative reports and disciplinary recommendations.
• Expert knowledge in conducting unbiased administrative hearings, evaluating evidence, and formulating defensible disciplinary actions.
• Strong capacity to represent the university and maintain formal communication protocols with key external authorities.
• Minimum of a Master’s degree in Law from a recognized institution.
• A valid license to practice law in the UAE is mandatory.
• A Ph.D. in Law is highly preferred.
• More than 15 years of progressive experience in legal counseling, corporate law, or litigation in the UAE, preferably in higher education institutions.

Closing Date: 31/Oct/2026