Senior Legal Counsel

CMC Markets; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

CMC Markets in Dubai seeks a Senior Legal Counsel to serve as the sole regional legal presence. You will advise on commercial, regulatory, corporate, employment and product-related matters, supporting the DIFC operations and DFSA regimes in line with global standards.

You will work with the Head of Legal - EMEA and global teams to mitigate risk, draft and negotiate agreements, and help shape the firm’s growth in the Middle East.

Qualifications

• Practising solicitor qualified in England & Wales with 6+ years' PQE.
• Strong knowledge of the DFSA regulatory framework and DIFC environment.
• Experience with UAE onshore matters is beneficial.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to articulate complex issues.
• Capable of operating autonomously as the sole regional legal presence.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice across commercial, regulatory, corporate, employment and product matters in the Middle East.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of UAE/Middle East agreements, including ISDAs and prime brokerage docs.
• Ensure DFSA compliance and regulatory alignment with global standards.
• Coordinate with global legal, compliance, finance and leadership teams; manage external advisers.
• Support board reporting and regional governance efforts; mitigate legal risk.

Skills

England & Wales solicitor

DFSA knowledge

Regulatory & UAE/DIFC law

Contract negotiation

Autonomous regional coverage

Job description

We are looking to hire a Senior Legal Counsel to join us here at CMC Markets. This is a pivotal role as our sole Legal Counsel based in Dubai, supporting the firm's regulated operations within the DIFC and ensuring the business remains compliant with all applicable DFSA and UAE legal requirements. You will act as the primary legal point of contact for the Middle East business, while working closely with the Head of Legal - EMEA and the wider global Legal, Compliance, Finance and Senior Leadership teams. Your remit spans commercial, regulatory, corporate, employment, and product-related legal matters, as well as contributing to global legal initiatives and helping to shape CMC's growth in the region.

Key Responsibilities

Regional Legal & Regulatory Support (Middle East Focus) Provide legal advice on all matters relating to the firm's operations within the DIFC and under DFSA rules, ensuring compliance with regional regulatory requirements. Advise the business on UAE-specific legal considerations, including contractual, regulatory, market, employment, and other legal obligations. Coordinate with the Dubai and global Compliance function to ensure continued compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Act as the primary liaison between CMC and regional external counsel for the Dubai-based business.. Commercial & Corporate Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements relevant to the UAE and wider Middle East region, including market data licences, vendor agreements, prime brokerage documentation (including ISDAs), and institutional/partner arrangements. Support the Finance and Treasury teams on loans, engagement letters and other financing arrangements. Assist the Tax team with engagement letters and related documentation. Product & Operational Support Draft and amend Terms of Business for the Middle East, ensuring consistency with DFSA rules and alignment with global standards. Work alongside Operations and Product teams on regional initiatives, client onboarding projects and corporate account arrangements. Support Compliance on complaints handling (where required), regulatory changes and financial promotions reviews. Global Collaboration Work closely with legal colleagues across geographies to ensure smooth cross-border coordination and knowledge sharing. Assist with monthly board reporting and contribute to regional updates for senior leadership. Support global expansion projects, including new product initiatives, cross-border offerings and new branch considerations. Risk Mitigation & Governance Proactively identify, assess and mitigate legal risks across the region. Manage external counsel effectively to balance cost, efficiency and quality. Uphold and contribute to best-practice governance, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and legal oversight.

Principal Accountabilities

Deliver high-quality legal advice across the Middle East, with a sharp focus on DFSA compliance and regional regulatory frameworks. Minimise legal and regulatory risk through effective oversight, documentation and proactive intervention. Manage external advisers for value, quality and strategic alignment. Maintain a deep understanding of the financial services industry, particularly regional market developments affecting CFDs, derivatives, equities, digital assets, and online trading. Promote an inclusive and supportive culture across the Legal function.

Key Skills & Experience

Essential Practising solicitor qualified in England & Wales , with a minimum of 6 years' post-qualification experience, or possessing equivalent professional education and experience from another relevant jurisdiction. Strong knowledge of the DFSA regulatory framework and the legal environment of the DIFC; experience in UAE onshore matters is beneficial. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal issues succinctly. Strong organisational, analytical and negotiation capabilities. Confidence working autonomously as the sole legal presence in the region, while integrating effectively with a global team. Thorough understanding of legal and regulatory issues within the financial services industry. Desirable Derivatives experience, including ISDA and prime brokerage documentation. Previous experience within a regulated online trading or derivatives environment in the Middle East.

CMC Markets is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.

CMC Markets is one of the world's first ever fin-tech companies and was launched in 1989 to break down the barriers of financial trading and make trading accessible to everyone. Our mission is to use our award-winning, Next Generation trading platform and unparalleled client service to empower millions of people to have the best trading experience out there. Our clients can trade on thousands of instruments using the best technology, supported by sophisticated charting, competitive pricing and automated execution. We're trusted by investors globally, but also by banks, brokers, funds and trading desks though our top-tier liquidity institutional offering, enabling these businesses to expand into new markets and increase revenue potential. We were recently listed on the FTSE250, and our business continues to go from strength to strength as we continue to invest in our technology and our people.