Legal Counsel - Financial Services MNC

NOVA8; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 350,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

NOVA8 is seeking a Legal Counsel to join its Middle East legal team in Dubai, focusing on core banking products and documentation.

The role offers exposure to banking and finance matters, with drafting, negotiation, and regulatory engagement in an international, regulated environment. Hybrid work nearby the DIFC is available, and Arabic language skills are a plus.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with post-qualification experience
• Banking and finance experience is advantageous
• Fluent English, written and spoken, on complex documents
• Arabic is a plus and familiarity with English law documentation

Responsibilities

• Advising business units on core banking products and documentation
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating banking documents
• Promoting standard templates and approvals for non-standard documents
• Assessing and reporting legal and enforceability risk
• Engaging with regulators and external counsel on disputes
• Training and knowledge sharing for business and legal teams

Job description

We're looking for a Legal Counsel (1–5 PQE) to join a leading international bank's Middle East legal team in Dubai.

This role offers the opportunity to build a career in banking law from the ground up, working on core banking products and documentation alongside experienced colleagues in an international, regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Advising business units on core banking products, including account opening, cash management, trade finance and related lending
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating banking documentation in line with the bank's policies and applicable law
• Promoting the use of standard templates and managing approvals for non-standard documentation
• Supporting the assessment and reporting of legal and enforceability risk
• Supporting engagement with regulators and working with external counsel on disputes
• Contributing to training and knowledge sharing for business and legal colleagues

Requirements

• Qualified lawyer, with some post-qualification experience (law firm, regulator, government, bank or other legal setting)
• Banking and finance experience, in a bank or a law firm, is advantageous
• Contract drafting and negotiation experience is a plus
• Fluent English, written and spoken, on complex documents
• Professional business Arabic is a plus, as well as familiarity with English law documentation
• Must be available to work from the DIFC, Dubai office (hybrid, 3 days per week)

This is a great opportunity for an Emirati lawyer looking to build a long-term in-house career with a top-tier global institution.

NOVA8 empowers talented lawyers to achieve success on their own terms by opening up a new world of legal opportunities and supporting them at every stage of their journey.

NOVA8 Pte. Ltd. UEN 201543872K and EA 17S8782