Senior Legal Counsel - Infrastructure and Export Finance

HSBC Recruitment; United Arab Emirates; Hybrid; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel specializing in Infrastructure and Export Finance. This role involves providing high-quality legal advice, supporting transaction structuring, and managing legal risks in cross-border finance agreements. Ideal candidates are qualified lawyers with experience in project finance and a strong understanding of regulatory environments. The position offers flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• A qualified lawyer with demonstrable export, infrastructure and/or project finance experience.
• Ability to handle diverse issues and manage ad hoc projects.
• Strong organizational skills to prioritize and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead the structuring and negotiation of finance documentation for cross-border transactions.
• Provide legal advice on legacy transactions and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
• Support CIB departments with legal risks and provide practical legal advice.

Skills

Export finance

Infrastructure finance

Project finance

Commercial understanding of loan transactions

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Graduation degree

Job description

Overview

Senior Legal Counsel - Infrastructure and Export Finance

Role: The successful candidate will provide high quality, timely and cost-effective legal advice, origination and structuring support and transaction execution to the HSBC Infrastructure Finance (HIF) business with regional hubs in Dubai and Riyadh and other sites as needed. Responsibilities include supporting the structuring, negotiation and execution of export finance, infrastructure finance, growth markets and project financings, and partnering with the HIF business on legal and regulatory developments, product governance and sustainability initiatives.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the structuring, review and negotiation of finance documentation for cross-border export credit, infrastructure finance, and project finance transactions (from pitch phase to completion, with involvement from origination teams).
• Provide legal advice to the HIF Portfolio Management Team on legacy transactions in distressed and non-distressed scenarios.
• Demonstrate a commercial understanding of loan transactions and maintain knowledge of current market terms.
• Understand how export credit agencies and multilateral agencies operate, the products they offer and CIRR funding structures.
• Review, escalate and resolve legal, reputational and other internal issues as they arise.
• Instruct and manage external lawyers and external legal costs effectively.
• Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders (including export credit agencies), HIF senior management, Issuer Services, colleagues in Legal, Portfolio Management, ESG, Compliance, Credit and Tax.
• Act as a trusted adviser by providing commercially sensitive, pragmatic and practical legal support to HIF origination teams and relationship managers in a cost-effective manner.
• Keep abreast of relevant regulatory and legal developments affecting HIF transactions.
• Provide counsel and legal support on a variety of matters, including complex issues in specialist areas.
• Support CIB departments with regard to legal risks and provide prompt, practical legal advice as needed.
• Proactively inform the business of material legal developments and their implications.
• Keep senior legal management fully briefed on major issues and regulatory changes.
• Recommend selection of panel law firms and other external parties as appropriate.
• Deliver fair outcomes for customers and maintain orderly and transparent financial markets.
• Contribute to HSBC’s vision, values, goals and culture in behavior and decision making.
• Provide technical leadership, monitor developments and share knowledge to support best practice across HSBC and its customers.
• Encourage cross-country and cross-business collaboration and challenge actions not aligned with HSBC's diversity policies and business interests.
• Suggest improvements to operating models, procedures and practices based on subject matter expertise and market best practice.
• Adhere to HSBC policies to ensure good operational, financial and project management, compliance and early issue resolution.
• Contribute to management information, analysis and reporting to support decision making in Global Legal.
• Contribute to the implementation and monitoring of policies, governance frameworks and standards to ensure quality risk management and regulatory compliance.

Requirements

• Graduation degree is REQUIRED – to secure a UAE Visa and Work Permit.
• A qualified lawyer with demonstrable export, infrastructure and / or project finance experience gained within a top-tier financial institution and / or private practice is essential.
• Knowledge of banking, corporate and securities law and familiarity with major jurisdictions HSBC operates in.
• Ability to handle a diverse range of issues and manage ad hoc projects.
• Understanding of HSBC Group corporate structures and culture is advantageous.
• Ability to prioritize and work independently with strong organizational skills.
• Experience in providing prompt and practical legal guidance, managing ambiguity and considering long-term risks and implications.

For further details and application information please visit our careers site : 0000LO25.

We support flexible and alternative ways of working where possible, including working from home and different hours subject to approvals. HSBC is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Personal data held by the Bank relating to employment applications will be used in accordance with our Privacy Statement, available on our website. Issued by The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited.

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