Corporate Legal and Compliance Manager

Arabnews; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Arabnews is seeking a Compliance Manager based in Dubai to oversee compliance and risk management across the GCC. The ideal candidate will have a law degree, significant experience in corporate compliance, and practical knowledge of regulatory standards. This strategic role demands excellence in legal drafting, internal investigations, and the ability to maintain adherence to complex legal frameworks. The Compliance Manager will be instrumental in developing effective compliance policies and risk management strategies while collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure best practices are upheld.

Qualifications

• Law degree from a reputable institution; UK education or legal training strongly preferred.
• Additional certifications in compliance, ethics, risk management, or data privacy (e.g., ICA, CCEP, CIPP / E, IRM) are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive legal compliance program.
• Draft and maintain internal compliance policies and procedures.
• Monitor and analyze regulatory and risk developments.
• Ensure FPI adheres to government regulations.
• Maintain and manage FPI's compliance and risk register.
• Lead internal investigations and ensure consistent handling of compliance breaches.
• Conduct risk assessments and identify existing potential risks.
• Enhance due diligence and KYC systems.
• Drive data privacy compliance efforts under GDPR.

Skills

Sanctions compliance

Data protection (GDPR)

Legal drafting

Communication skills

Risk assessment

Education

Law degree from a reputable institution

Additional certifications in compliance or risk management

Job description

Future Pipe Industries (FPI) is undergoing a group-wide compliance transformation to embed robust regulatory, operational, and ethical compliance across its business. We are seeking a capable and dynamic Compliance Manager to be based in Dubai, who will play a critical role in designing, implementing, and managing FPI's compliance and risk management framework across the GCC—particularly in the UAE and KSA.

This is a strategic role suited for a legally trained compliance professional who brings strong regulatory insight, governance acumen, contractual awareness, and risk sensitivity, and who can operate as a trusted advisor across internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Compliance & Risk Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive legal compliance program, including manuals, policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and awareness protocols.
• Draft and maintain internal compliance policies and procedures, and ensure their effective communication, implementation, and monitoring across all relevant business functions.
• Monitor and analyze regulatory and risk developments in the UAE, KSA, and internationally, with proactive updates to internal controls.
• Ensure FPI adheres to government regulations and that employees comply with internal policies and standards.
• Maintain and manage FPI's compliance and risk register, capturing legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational risks.
• Design and enforce decision-making protocols, governance structures, and clear distribution of business responsibilities.
• Lead internal investigations and ensure consistent handling of whistleblower reports and compliance breaches.
• Conduct risk assessments and identify existing and potential red flags across the business.
• Enhance due diligence and KYC systems to strengthen third-party risk controls and mitigate exposure in business engagements.
• Drive data privacy compliance efforts under GDPR and applicable regional regulations.

Legal Advocacy & Contractual Support

• Revise existing and future agreements, including Local Service Agreements (LSAs), to ensure legal protection, regulatory compliance, and cost minimization.
• Draft new contracts aligned with FPI's risk appetite and commercial objectives.
• Conduct legal and commercial research to identify risks, optimize contractual structures, and reduce potential liabilities or transactional costs.
• Provide legal insight and advisory during early stages of business engagements to support contract alignment and mitigate future legal exposure.

Group Litigation Follow-up

• Conduct regular follow-ups with external legal counsel and litigation resources to track ongoing lawsuits and disputes across the Group.
• Keep management updated with accurate and timely litigation status reports, key deadlines, and developments affecting exposure or strategy.
• Ensure litigation records are properly maintained and aligned with reporting protocols and legal

Skills

Education & Certifications :

• Law degree from a reputable institution; UK education or legal training strongly preferred (LLB, LLM, or equivalent).
• Additional certifications in compliance, ethics, risk management, or data privacy (e.g., ICA, CCEP, CIPP / E, IRM) are highly desirable.

Experience :

• Minimum 6-8 years of legal professional experience, with at least 4 years in a corporate compliance and / or risk management role.
• Strong background in contract drafting, legal services, and litigation coordination.
• Experience in legal advocacy, governance, and regulatory support, particularly within the GCC.
• Demonstrated experience in :

Sanctions compliance and data protection (GDPR)

• Internal investigations and whistleblowing
• ESG, KYC, and governance frameworks
• Litigation and external counsel management
• Risk assessment and compliance reporting

Skills & Attributes :

• Strong command of global compliance and risk standards (e.g., FCPA, UK Bribery Act, COSO ERM, OECD Guidelines).
• Excellent legal drafting, research, reporting, and communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong business integration capabilities.
• High ethical standards, sound judgment, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Fluent in English; Arabic is a plus.

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Compliance Manager • Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates