Executive Director- Corporate Governance (UAE National)

edari; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Edari is seeking an Executive Director – Corporate Governance in Dubai, UAE to lead enterprise governance across Legal, Compliance, Risk, ESG, and Information Security. The role reports to the CEO and drives governance excellence for a major organization.

The candidate will oversee governance policies, regulatory submissions, and critical risk management programs while managing budgets and multidisciplinary teams. 60-day notice preferences apply and immediate start is valued.

Qualifications

• 12–15 years of progressive leadership in Corporate Governance, Legal, Compliance, Risk Management.
• Experience advising Boards of Directors and Executive Leadership.
• Strong knowledge of UAE regulatory frameworks and international compliance.
• Master’s degree in Law, Business Administration, Public Policy, Corporate Governance, or related field.
• Certifications CGEIT, CCEP, CRISC, CISM, CISSP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of enterprise-wide corporate governance frameworks aligned with international best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Provide strategic governance and legal advice to the Board and Executive Leadership.
• Oversee Legal, Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management, ESG, Information Security Governance, and Health & Safety governance functions.
• Develop and maintain governance policies, procedures, and internal control frameworks across the organization.
• Drive enterprise-wide compliance programs, regulatory governance, and ethical business practices.
• Lead ESG strategy, sustainability reporting, stakeholder engagement, and ESG risk management initiatives.
• Oversee enterprise risk management frameworks and provide executive guidance on emerging risks and mitigation strategies.
• Establish and strengthen information security governance in alignment with ISO 27001 and NIST.
• Oversee complex legal matters, contracts, corporate structuring, and legal risk mitigation.
• Serve as the principal governance advisor to Executive Leadership and Board Committees.
• Lead governance reporting, Board documentation, and regulatory submissions.
• Manage departmental budgets and ensure effective financial stewardship.
• Develop and lead high-performing multidisciplinary governance teams while supporting succession planning and workforce development.
• Build strong relationships with regulators, government authorities, Board members, consultants, and key internal stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Policy development

Negotiation

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Governance expertise

Education

Master's degree in Law or related field

Tools

CGEIT

CCEP

CRISC

CISM

CISSP

Job description

We are looking to hire an Executive Director – Corporate Governance who will be responsible for leading and overseeing the organization's Corporate Governance function, ensuring robust governance frameworks across Legal, Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management, Information Security, ESG, and Board Governance for our client based in the Dubai, UAE—one of the largest organizations in the region.

This is a permanent role within the organization.

The role sits within the Corporate Governance function and reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

We are looking for a passionate Executive Director – Corporate Governance with extensive experience in corporate governance, legal advisory, enterprise risk management, compliance, ESG, and information security governance. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of advising Boards and Executive Leadership while driving governance excellence, regulatory compliance, and organizational integrity. You should also possess strong strategic leadership, stakeholder management, and policy development experience within large, complex, or government-related organizations.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of enterprise-wide corporate governance frameworks aligned with international best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Provide strategic governance and legal advice to the Board and Executive Leadership.
• Oversee Legal, Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management, ESG, Information Security Governance, and Health & Safety governance functions.
• Develop and maintain governance policies, procedures, and internal control frameworks across the organization.
• Drive enterprise-wide compliance programs, regulatory governance, and ethical business practices.
• Lead ESG strategy, sustainability reporting, stakeholder engagement, and ESG risk management initiatives.
• Oversee enterprise risk management frameworks and provide executive guidance on emerging risks and mitigation strategies.
• Establish and strengthen information security governance in alignment with international standards such as ISO 27001 and NIST.
• Oversee complex legal matters, contracts, corporate structuring, and legal risk mitigation.
• Serve as the principal governance advisor to Executive Leadership and Board Committees.
• Lead governance reporting, Board documentation, and regulatory submissions.
• Manage departmental budgets and ensure effective financial stewardship.
• Develop and lead high-performing multidisciplinary governance teams while supporting succession planning and workforce development.
• Build strong relationships with regulators, government authorities, Board members, consultants, and key internal stakeholders.
• Master's degree in Law, Business Administration, Public Policy, Corporate Governance, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as CGEIT, CCEP, CRISC, CISM, CISSP, Licensed Legal Practitioner, or equivalent are highly preferred.
• 12–15 years of progressive leadership experience in Corporate Governance, Legal, Compliance, Risk Management, or related disciplines.
• Proven experience advising Boards of Directors and Executive Leadership.
• Experience within large corporations, government entities, or government-related organizations is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of UAE regulatory frameworks, corporate governance standards, and international compliance requirements.
• Extensive knowledge of ESG frameworks, enterprise risk management, legal governance, and information security governance.
• Familiarity with international standards including ISO 27001, NIST, and global ESG reporting frameworks.
• Excellent strategic planning, stakeholder management, negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational transformation, governance initiatives, and cross-functional teams.

Availability:

• Preference will be given to candidates available immediately or with a maximum 60-day notice period after accepting the offer.

We are looking for a candidate who will be able to work in the United Arab Emirates.

We will review your job application within 7 working days. Should your profile fit the requirements of the role, a consultant from Edari will be in touch with you to gain a deeper understanding of your experience, discuss the opportunity in more detail, and outline the next steps.