Senior Legal Counsel

Overview

WELCOME TO SITA

We're the team that keeps airports moving, airlines flying smoothly, and borders open. Our tech and communication innovations are the secret behind the success of the world's air travel industry.

You'll find us at 95% of international hubs. We partner closely with over 2,500 transportation and government clients, each with their own unique needs and challenges. Our goal is to find fresh solutions and cutting-edge tech to make their operations run like clockwork. Want to be a part of something big?

Are you ready to love your job? The adventure begins right here, with you, at SITA.

PURPOSE

SITA Legal – Getting SITA to “Yes” - sustainably, ethically and legally

Nothing much happens at SITA without the involvement of LEGAL. We are a key enablement function, ensuring SITA has the right to do business across the globe and helping get deals across the line. We support SITA and our colleagues to “Get to Yes” quickly, sustainably, ethically and legally.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

SITA Lawyers as Navigators:

• Navigating the complexity of rules & regulations and the turbulence of unwanted risks and liabilities
• Suggesting ways to avoid the biggest bumps and scrapes
• Sharing the burden of making informed decisions
• Ensuring SITA comes to safe landings.
• Keeping us proud of what SITA does

SITA Lawyers as Deal Doers and Relationship Builders:

• Getting our products to market across the world – global products, delivered everywhere
• Engaging with partners and customers on terms that are fair and reasonable
• Pulling together the work of many into contracts, documents and governance that tell the deal as it is: understandable, practical, useful and clear

A Legal Counsel at SITA is:

• A fully autonomous lawyer in one or more domains (a domain being a BU, a Geography/Region, a specific area of Law or legal practice)
• A person with other ad hoc responsibilities in SITA Legal outside of those domains
• An expert who has regular engagement with external parties (customers, suppliers, regulators, industry players) relative to the domains
• Involved ad hoc in SITA projects where the primary value brought may not be only “legal” (bringing grounded business experience)

For THIS role – Legal Counsel for the Borders Business Unit, what is the scope and responsibility?

• You will be a key member of both the SITA Legal and the Borders Business Unit teams, reporting to the Legal Director for the Borders Business Unit.
• You will play a prominent role in an exciting, dynamic and ambitious Business Unit.
• You will contribute to meaningful projects focused on new technologies such as digital travel and biometrics; and will advise on AI, privacy, sanctions and compliance issues in alignment with SITA’s policies and business strategies.
• You will guide the team on public procurement matters and direct engagements with governments.
• You will manage SITA’s relationship with local external counsel.
• You will play a key role in major strategic deals such as industry partnerships, consortia and joint ventures.
• You will work closely with an experienced and effective Contract Management team.
• With the support of the Legal Director, you will assess and manage legal risks through SITA’s internal business approval processes.
• You will support on any informal and formal dispute resolution that is required.
• When required, you will prepare and deliver legal training to help your colleagues enhance their understanding of contractual and legal issues.
• You will be exposed to truly international work from all of SITA’s four regions: Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and The America. Worldwide international travel is highly likely in this role.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

Legal Counsel at SITA therefore has:

• Solid experience in a domain and/or broad experience over more than one domain
• The ability to take an autonomous role in the domain
• Bring influence and not just legal expertise and authority

And, like all managers at SITA, a Legal Counsel needs to demonstrate:

• Drive and Problem Solving : You’re ambitious, you work hard because you love it, you own things and get them done
• People-centric : You can boost employee morale and motivation through your sense of pride in the work being done
• Analytical Mind : You thrive on ambiguity. You challenge your assumptions, and those of others, you are able to identify and formulate problems and their solutions, and to support your analysis with data and reasoning
• Growth over Ego : You are eager to learn, and receive feedback, to grow. You let others speak and seek to understand their viewpoints
• Effective Communicator : able to explain the why, the how and the what
• Curious & Courageous : You are willing to ask, and be asked, tough questions

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Law.
• Appropriate legal qualification (registered or licensed Attorney Lawyer Solicitor or Barrister) or similar international qualification.
• English & Arabic Language is a must, French is a nice to have.

WHAT WE OFFER

We're all about diversity. We operate in 200 countries and speak 60 different languages and cultures. We're really proud of our inclusive environment. Our offices are comfortable and fun places to work, and we make sure you get to work from home too. Find out what it's like to join our team and take a step closer to your best life ever.

🏡 Flex Week: Work from home up to 2 days/week (depending on your team's needs)

⏰ Flex Day: Make your workday suit your life and plans.

🌎 Flex-Location: Take up to 30 days a year to work from any location in the world.

🌿 Employee Wellbeing: We have got you covered with our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), for you and your dependents 24/7, 365 days/year. We also offer Champion Health - a personalized platform that supports a range of wellbeing needs.

🚀 Professional Development: Level up your skills with our training platforms, including LinkedIn Learning!

🙌 Competitive Benefits: Competitive benefits that make sense with both your local market and employment status.

SITA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce. In support of our Employment Equity Program, we encourage women, aboriginal people, members of visible minorities, and/or persons with disabilities to apply and self-identify in the application process.