Description
Job DescriptionAs a Senior Legal Counsel at GCGRA, you will play a key role in supporting the Authority's legal, regulatory, and operational mandate. Reporting to the Head of Legal, you will provide high-quality legal advice across a broad range of matters, including regulatory, corporate, commercial, contractual, enforcement, and policy-related matters.The role requires a commercially minded and technically strong legal professional capable of independently managing complex legal matters, advising internal stakeholders, supporting regulatory decision-making, and contributing to the development of the UAE's gaming regulatory framework.The Senior Legal Counsel will work closely with internal departments, government entities, external counsel, and industry stakeholders to identify legal risks, develop practical solutions, and ensure the Authority's activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and international best practices.Responsibilities Provide timely and strategic legal advice on a broad range of matters, including regulatory, corporate, commercial, contractual, privacy, data protection, procurement, and consumer protection matters. Draft, review, negotiate, and manage complex agreements, contracts, legal instruments, policies, and other documentation to protect the Authority's interests and support its operational objectives. Conduct legal research and analysis on UAE laws, regulations, regulatory frameworks, and international developments relevant to gaming and other regulated industries, and provide clear legal opinions and recommendations. Monitor developments in the gaming and regulatory landscape, including licensing frameworks, enforcement approaches, responsible gaming requirements, emerging technologies, and international regulatory trends. Identify, assess, and advise on legal and regulatory risks affecting the Authority's activities, and develop practical risk mitigation strategies. Support the development, review, and implementation of sector policies, regulatory frameworks, legislative proposals, and regulatory guidance, including preparation of legal impact assessments and stakeholder consultation materials. Provide legal support on regulatory licensing, compliance obligations, operational requirements, and interactions with regulated entities. Support regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, and compliance matters, including evidence review, legal assessments, preparation of enforcement documentation, and coordination with relevant government authorities and external stakeholders. Manage legal disputes, including advising on contentious matters, and supporting negotiations, defence documents, and other enforcement and dispute resolution processes. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with government entities, regulatory authorities, international counterparts, and external advisors. Provide legal support to internal governance processes, including preparation of legal analysis for senior management and committees, where required.Qualifications Qualified lawyer with a Bachelor's degree in Law. Additional postgraduate legal qualifications from reputable institutions are advantageous. Minimum 10 years of relevant legal experience gained within a leading international law firm, government entity, regulatory authority, or highly regulated industry. Proven experience advising on complex commercial, regulatory, and corporate legal matters, with the ability to manage diverse legal portfolios independently. Prior experience working at a Tier 1 international law firm or equivalent high-quality legal environment is strongly preferred. Experience supporting government authorities, regulators, enforcement bodies, or regulated entities, including knowledge of regulatory powers, investigations, compliance frameworks, and enforcement mechanisms, is highly desirable. Strong understanding of UAE legal and regulatory frameworks, with the ability to draft, interpret legislation and provide practical legal advice in a rapidly evolving environment. Experience in gaming, technology, financial services, digital platforms, or another highly regulated sector is advantageous. Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly to non-legal stakeholders. Fluency in English is a must, Arabic is advantageous. Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced regulatory environment.About UsThe General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) is the federal executive agency responsible for regulating and overseeing commercial gaming in the United Arab Emirates. We aim to drive sustainable growth by cultivating world-class commercial gaming operations and implementing efficient regulation, grounded in the principles of integrity, innovation, and responsible practices.Established by Federal Law by Decree and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the GCGRA is the executive authority that holds exclusive jurisdiction to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming activities and facilities in the UAE.