Senior Legal Counsel, GCF

FAB; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 320,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

The First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to assist the Head of Legal in managing legal risks associated with Global Corporate Finance activities.

The role involves drafting and negotiating contracts, ensuring compliance with laws, and supporting new product launches. Candidates should have a Master’s degree in law and significant experience in corporate legal environments.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of post-qualification experience in a reputed bank or law firm.
• At least 2 years of experience in a similar role.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and support to business objectives.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts for legal protection.
• Liaises with external authorities to resolve legal matters.
• Defines goals and develops talent within the legal team.

Skills

Legal risk management

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Education

Master’s degree in law

Job description

The role assists the Head of Legal – Global Corporate Finance & Islamic Banking manage legal risk in all the geographies where FAB operates in relation to FAB Global Corporate Finance activities in accordance with FAB Group legal policies and procedures. The role holder should be able to work autonomously, but should seek the Head of Legal – Global Corporate Finance & Islamic Banking’s input on unusual situations, complex matters, and issues which may pose significant legal, financial and/or reputational risk to FAB Group.

Core Responsibilities

Provides legal advice and support to the business while keeping in mind FAB’s strategic and business objectives.

Provides direction and guidance to facilitate FAB’s compliance with all applicable international and domestic laws, rules and regulations.

Collaborates with theHead of Legal – Global Corporate Finance & Islamic Bankingto establish, disseminate and implement the FAB’s Group legal policies.

Completes legal tasks and projects in a timely manner and responds to legal queries assigned to him/her by theHead of Legal – Global Corporate Finance & Islamic Banking.

Supports FAB subsidiaries and international branches by providing general legal oversight on legal risks associated with FABGlobal Corporate Financeproducts and services.

Legal Documentation and Review

Drafts, reviews and negotiates contracts and other legal documents in order to maximise the FAB Group’s legal protections whilst simultaneously minimising risks.

Produces and regularly updates standardised legal agreements, contracts and standard terms and conditions for FAB in compliance with international best practices and applicable legal requirements.

Assists the business in launching new products and conducts legal and regulatory due diligence on such products, including identifying risks and mitigants in all applicable geographies.

Knowledge of External Environment

Stays abreast of new laws and regulations through continuous legal education, attending professional conferences, and participating in professional associations.

Provides updates to the FAB Group senior business persons on new legislation and regulatory developments that may have an impact on the FAB Group and advises FAB on how to comply with such new legislation and regulations.

Knowledge Sharing

Works closely and develops a positive professional relationship with the other members of the legal function and shares legal knowledge and best practices with legal colleagues, including providing formal and informal training sessions at the direction of the Group General Counsel andHead of Legal – Global Corporate Finance & Islamic Banking.

Stakeholder Management

Liaises with the concerned external authorities such as courts and law firms to ensure effective resolution of all legal matters affecting FAB.

Learning and Development

Functions as a subject matter expert and provides input on learning and development initiatives including training content to ensure value addition and relevance.

MIS and Reports

Ensures that all reports related to own area are prepared in a timely and accurately manner, and meet the FAB Group’s requirements, policies, and standards.

People Management Responsibilities

Defines goals and key performance indicators for own reports and ensures effective implementation of the FAB performance management process.

Develops talent within the team by providing guidance and coaching to achieve the defined goals.

Job Specific Accountability

• Structure, draft, review and negotiate transactiondocumentation for bilateral and syndicated loans across project finance, structured and leveraged/acquisition finance, fund finance, real estate finance and asset finance transactions, debt restructuringand other complex lending arrangements (including all ancillary documentation thereto). Relevant experience in debt capital markets and Islamic finance is a strong advantage.
• Assist the Head of Legal – Global Corporate Finance & Islamic Banking and work with external counsel and the business in relation to Global Corporate Finance transactions.
• Assist the business with rolling out new products and services.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in law is preferred
• Minimum of 8 PQE with experience in a reputed bank or law firm, with at least 2 years in a similar role

Job Info

• Job Identification 1729
• Job Category Senior Legal Counsel
• Posting Date 05/05/2026, 06:05 AM
• Degree Level University
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) Al Qurm Business Park, Abu Dhabi, AE