Legal Manager

Zand; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Zand Bank in the United Arab Emirates seeks a senior lawyer to support the Head of Legal, Corporate Governance & Board Affairs in providing legal advice and guidance across the Bank's activities. You will identify risks, review documents, and advise on regulatory matters to ensure compliance with laws and policies.

You will draft and negotiate a wide range of agreements, advise stakeholders, maintain governance frameworks, monitor regulatory developments, and coordinate external counsel to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law (Master’s a plus).
• 7+ years of legal experience in banking/financial services or a leading law firm.
• Strong understanding of banking and financial services regulations and legal risk management.
• Excellent legal drafting, analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to provide practical, commercially focused legal advice and exercise sound legal judgment.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advisory and transactional support across banking activities, including corporate and retail lending, trade finance, treasury, payments, wealth management, fintech, virtual assets, custody, escrow, and stablecoin-related products.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a wide range of agreements with clients, vendors, business partners, and third parties, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and regulatory obligations.
• Develop, maintain, and update standard legal documentation, agreements, templates, and terms and conditions in line with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
• Advise stakeholders on legal, regulatory, and contractual matters, identifying and mitigating legal risks while supporting the Bank's strategic objectives.
• Support the review and enhancement of legal policies, procedures, and governance frameworks to ensure ongoing compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and provide timely guidance on changes that may impact the Bank's activities.
• Conduct legal research and prepare opinions, reports, briefings, and recommendations on banking, financial services, and regulatory matters.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to provide practical, commercially focused legal support across initiatives and projects.
• Manage and coordinate matters involving external legal counsel to ensure delivery of legal services.

Skills

Legal advisory

Contract negotiation

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Drafting

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Law

Master's Degree in Law

Job description

To support the Head of Legal, Corporate Governance & Board Affairs in providing legal advice and support across the Bank's business activities. The role is responsible for identifying and managing legal risks, reviewing and negotiating legal documentation, advising on regulatory and compliance matters, and ensuring adherence to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. The successful candidate will work closely with business and control functions to support the Bank's strategic objectives, while independently managing routine legal matters and escalating complex or high-risk issues as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advisory and transactional support across a broad range of banking and financial services activities, including corporate and retail lending, trade finance, treasury, payments, wealth management, fintech, virtual assets, custody, escrow, and stablecoin-related products.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a wide range of agreements with clients, vendors, business partners, and third parties, ensuring alignment with legal requirements, regulatory obligations, and the Bank's risk appetite.
• Develop, maintain, and update standard legal documentation, agreements, templates, and terms and conditions in line with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Advise stakeholders on legal, regulatory, and contractual matters, identifying and mitigating legal risks while supporting the Bank's strategic and commercial objectives.
• Support the review and enhancement of legal policies, procedures, and governance frameworks to ensure ongoing compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and provide timely guidance on legal and regulatory changes that may impact the Bank's business activities.
• Conduct legal research and prepare legal opinions, reports, briefings, and recommendations on a variety of banking, financial services, and regulatory matters.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and provide practical, commercially focused legal support across business initiatives and projects.
• Manage and coordinate matters involving external legal counsel to ensure efficient and effective delivery of legal services.
• Support corporate governance activities and contribute to ensuring compliance with applicable statutory, regulatory, and governance requirements.

Key Skills, required Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law or equivalent. Master’s Degree in Law is a plus.
• 7+ years of legal experience within banking, financial services, or a leading law firm.
• Strong understanding of banking and financial services regulations and legal risk management.
• Excellent legal drafting, analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to provide practical, commercially focused legal advice and exercise sound legal judgment.
• Experience within a digital bank, fintech, or virtual assets environment would be an advantage.