Legal Counsel

Overview

WELCOME TO SITA

At SITA, we keep airports moving, airlines flying smoothly, and borders open. Our technology and communication innovations power the success of the global air travel industry.

You'll find us in 95% of international airports, working closely with over 2,500 transportation and government clients. Each partnership brings unique challenges, and we thrive on delivering fresh solutions and cutting-edge tech to keep operations running like clockwork. We don't just move the world forward-we're proud to be recognized as a Great Place to Work® by 79% of our employees and certified in most of our growing locations. Here, we feel empowered, supported, and inspired to grow.

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 Middle East and Africa (MEA), what is the scope and responsibility?

• You will be a key member of both the SITA Legal and MEA Business Unit teams, reporting to the MEA Legal Team Lead.
• You will play a prominent role in an exciting, dynamic and ambitious GEO.
• You will contribute to meaningful projects focused on new technologies; 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.
• 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 Team Lead, 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.
  
  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.

Qualifications

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

• 6-7 years of relevant post-qualification legal experience, preferably gained within the IT and/or telecommunications industry, whether in-house or in private practice.
• Degree in Law.
• Appropriate legal qualification (registered or licensed Attorney Lawyer Solicitor or Barrister) or similar international qualification.
• Fluent in English, French and Arabic.

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: At SITA, we believe growth fuels innovation. Our learning ecosystem offers access to world-class platforms and programs designed to help you thrive. From LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft's Enterprise Skills Initiative, and Airport Council International -available to all employees-to specialized solutions like Pluralsight for technology upskilling, Harvard Business Publishing for people leadership, Stanford for strategic development and many others, we align learning opportunities with your Development Plan and our business priorities. Your development journey is supported every step of the way.

🙌 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.