SVP & Head of Legal - GGC Office (Arabic Speaker)

First Gulf Bank PJSC; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in the UAE is seeking an experienced SVP & Head of Legal to manage legal risks and provide strategic advice. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in corporate governance and law, with a minimum of 10 years’ experience. Fluency in Arabic and English is essential. This role offers the opportunity to shape legal strategies within the bank.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a reputed bank or law firm.
• Qualified as a lawyer in Commonwealth or Western European jurisdiction preferred.
• Fluent in Arabic (spoken & written) with ability to draft professional documents.
• Excellent English language skills (spoken and written) mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Manage legal risks associated with matters handled by the Group General Counsel Office.
• Provide legal advice related to the role.
• Liaise with external law firms and relevant authorities.
• Contribute to learning and development initiatives.

Skills

Legal advice

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Regulatory compliance

Corporate governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in law

Master’s degree in law

Job description

SVP & Head of Legal - GGC Office (Arabic Speaker)

• Full-time
• Sub Division: Group Legal

Join the UAE’s largest bank and one of the world’s largest and safest financial institutions. Our focus is to create value for our employees, customers, shareholders, and communities by growing through differentiation, agility, and innovation. We are looking for top talent, and your success is our success. Accelerate your growth as you help us reach our goals and advance your career. Be ready to make your mark at a top company in an exciting & dynamic industry.

The role holder reports to the Group General Counsel and is responsible for managing legal risk associated with matters handled by the Group General Counsel Office, in accordance with FAB legal policies and procedures and the instructions of the Group General Counsel. The role holder will primarily work autonomously but should seek the Group General Counsel’s input on unusual situations, complex matters, and issues that may pose significant legal, financial, and/or reputational risks to the FAB Group.

Core Responsibilities

1. Provide legal advice related to this role.
2. Work with external legal counsel as required.
3. Prepare and issue various legal reports in a timely manner.
4. Support the Group General Counsel with preparing and managing the Legal budget.
5. Manage special legal and regulatory projects and collaborate with other lawyers in FAB Group Legal.

Knowledge of External Environment

1. Stay abreast of new laws and regulations through continuous legal education, attending professional conferences, and participating in professional associations.
2. Provide updates to senior business leaders on new legislation and regulatory developments, advising on compliance strategies.

Knowledge Sharing

1. Develop positive professional relationships with legal colleagues and share legal knowledge and best practices, including providing formal and informal training sessions at the direction of the Group General Counsel and Heads of Legal.

Stakeholder Management

1. Liaise with external law firms and relevant authorities (such as courts) to ensure effective resolution of legal matters affecting the FAB Group.

Learning and Development

1. Contribute as a subject matter expert to learning and development initiatives, including training content development to ensure relevance and value addition.

MIS and Reporting

1. Ensure all reports are prepared timely, accurately, and meet the FAB Group’s standards and policies.

People Management Responsibilities

1. Set goals and KPIs for direct reports and oversee the implementation of the performance management process.
2. Mentor and develop talent within the team through guidance and coaching.

Specific Accountability

1. Collaborate closely with the Group General Counsel on various matters including corporate governance, non-performing loan recovery, corporate structuring, and strategic M&A.
2. Manage a Paralegal supporting administrative legal activities such as trademark management and litigation reporting.
3. Manage a Legal Associate assisting with legal invoices, litigation reporting, Business Continuity Planning, and RCSA processes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in law from an internationally recognized university.
• Master’s degree in law (preferred).
• Qualified as a lawyer in the UK, USA, Australia, or another Commonwealth or Western European jurisdiction (preferred).
• Fluent in Arabic (spoken & written) with ability to draft professional documents.
• Excellent English language skills (spoken and written) mandatory.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in Arabic is beneficial but not mandatory.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a reputed bank or law firm.
• Experience with corporate governance and/or corporate law (preferred).