Legal and Compliance Manager

Swisslinx Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Swisslinx Middle East, on behalf of a Dubai-based investment firm in DIFC, seeks a VP Legal and Compliance to steer the legal and regulatory agenda. You will provide practical guidance, draft and review contracts, and ensure business operations meet applicable laws and regulations.

You will lead the compliance team, coordinate KYC/AML processes, and advise the CEO, CFO and COO on regulatory developments across jurisdictions, including DFSA frameworks.

Qualifications

• Qualified attorney-at-law with a Master of Laws (LL.M.).
• 6 years of experience in legal and compliance.
• Experience with DIFC/DFSA preferred.
• Experience in asset management compliance or legal.
• Strong contract, employment, and corporate governance knowledge.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• High integrity and ability to work independently.
• Comfortable in fast-paced, small-team environment.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and legal documents.
• Advise on legal risks and regulatory changes.
• Monitor laws and industry standards affecting the company.
• Provide cross-functional legal support with admin, HR, finance, and ops.
• Oversee investor legal inquiries.
• Lead the compliance function and report to CEO, CFO, and COO.
• Ensure DFSA and other jurisdiction regulatory adherence.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Independence

Team collaboration

Education

Master of Laws (LL.M.)

Attorney-at-law

Tools

DFSA regulations

DIFC frameworks

Job description

On behalf of our client, an investment firm based in DIFC we are looking for a VP Legal and Compliance to join their firm. The VP Legal and Compliance will serve as (i) legal counsel within the company, providing practical legal guidance to ensure that all business operations comply with applicable laws and regulations. This role involves drafting, reviewing, and negotiating various legal documents, advising on risk management and compliance issues.

The VP Legal and Compliance will collaborate closely with the Managing Partners to address legal concerns, the Incumbent oversee the compliance function, including coordinating of KYC, AML returns, with a view towards protecting the Company's, as well as its Funds, reputation whilst concurrently providing client focused advice.

Job Description

Legal

• Draft and review a wide range of contracts, agreements, and other legal documents to ensure they are legallysound, enforceable, and aligned with the company's best interests.
• Ensure that all legal documentation is accurate, comprehensive, and adheres to legal standards and industrypractices.
• Provide expert legal advice on diverse matters including but not limited to company contracts, funddocuments, and various agreements.
• Evaluate and advise on legal risks associated with business operations and strategic initiatives, offeringpractical solutions to mitigate potential issues.
• Monitor and interpret changes in laws, regulations, and industry standards that impact the company.
• Work closely with internal teams such as administration, HR, finance, and operations to providecomprehensive legal support and address any legal issues that arise.
• Handle related legal inquiries of investors.

Compliance

• Lead the compliance function, reporting directly to the CEO, CFO and COO.
• Oversee regulatory compliance across jurisdictions, particularly the DFSA frameworks.
• Ensuring adherence to, and providing advice on, applicable laws, regulations Compliance policies.
• Encouraging and improving the compliance culture
• Providing analysis, and advice on the impact of the regulatory framework on the business and its clients.
• Actively developing the skills and careers of each member of the Compliance team.

Requirements

• Qualified attorney-at-law with a Master of Laws (LL. M.).
• Would hold 6 years exposure within legal and compliance.
• Experience with DIFC/DFSA as a legal jurisdiction preferred but not essential.
• Experience within a control function within the asset management industry, ideally within Compliance or Legal.
• In-depth knowledge of legal principles, including contract law, employment law, and corporate governance.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate complex legal issues.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, with the capability to convey legal concepts clearly andeffectively.
• High level of integrity and professionalism, with a strong commitment to confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, happy to work in a small team