A leading international aviation group is seeking a Head Counsel – Finance & Leasing to join its senior legal leadership team. This is a high-impact, strategic role for a senior aviation lawyer with deep expertise in asset finance, leasing, and commercial advisory work. This role will be based in UAE and will require relocation

This role will play a pivotal part in supporting complex, cross-border transactions across the group’s global operations, working closely with finance, technical, and commercial teams. You’ll lead a small team, report directly into executive legal leadership, and provide legal coverage across a diverse portfolio of financing and fleet matters.

Key Focus Areas:

• Act as lead counsel on aircraft finance deals, lease agreements, and complex OEM purchase contracts
• Advise on a wide range of financial instruments including revolving credit, secured/unsecured lending, Islamic structures, and capital markets
• Provide legal leadership on aircraft delivery/redelivery processes, credit card acquirer agreements, derivative transactions, and KYC compliance
• Partner closely with the finance division to support major transactions and ongoing advisory needs
• Coordinate external counsel where appropriate, and contribute to internal policies, governance frameworks, and cross-functional collaboration

What You Bring:

• Qualified solicitor or barrister in a common law jurisdiction (e.g., England & Wales, Australia, New York, Ontario, Singapore)
• Minimum 15 years’ post-qualified experience, ideally with a blend of top-tier law firm and in-house aviation/transport experience
• This role will be based in UAE and will require relocation
• Deep expertise in structured and asset finance, ideally in aviation or large-scale cross-border asset sectors
• Proven track record of drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts
• Experience managing teams and advising at executive level
• Strong commercial acumen and a collaborative, solutions-driven mindset

To apply confidentially or to learn more, contact

Richael Gosling

richael@aircraftleasing.ie

+353429419663