Director, Legal

Client of Ultimate Peaks Talent & Strategy; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 600,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of Ultimate Peaks Talent & Strategy in Saudi Arabia seeks a Director of Legal to lead the legal function, advise the c-suite on corporate, commercial and regulatory matters, and safeguard the organisation's strategic objectives.

The role requires a law or Sharia degree, senior leadership experience in Saudi Arabia, fluency in Arabic and English, and a track record in negotiating complex agreements, governance, and disputes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Law or Sharia; postgraduate preferred.
• Substantial legal experience in Saudi Arabia with senior leadership responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi corporate, commercial, employment, and regulatory matters.
• Proven experience negotiating complex agreements and managing disputes.
• Experience advising executive leadership and boards.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and team leadership skills.
• Professional fluency in Arabic and English, including legal drafting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the organisation's legal strategy priorities and operating model.
• Advise senior leadership on legal risks, commercial transactions, and strategic initiatives.
• Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of commercial contracts and agreements.
• Advise on corporate governance, board and shareholder matters and delegated authorities.
• Manage litigation, disputes, settlements, and external legal counsel.
• Support employment, procurement, technology, and investment matters.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and guide the implementation of required changes.
• Build and develop the legal team, policies, templates, and contract management processes.

Skills

Legal leadership

Corporate law

Regulatory affairs

Contract negotiation

Governance

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Arabic drafting

English drafting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Law/Sharia

Postgraduate qualification (preferred)

Job description

An established organisation in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Director of Legal to lead its legal function and advise senior leadership on corporate commercial and regulatory matters. The successful candidate will combine strong knowledge of Saudi laws with practical commercial judgement protecting the organisation s interests and supporting its strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the organisation s legal strategy priorities and operating model
• Advise senior leadership on legal risks commercial transactions and strategic initiatives
• Oversee the drafting review and negotiation of commercial contracts and agreements
• Advise on corporate governance board and shareholder matters and delegated authorities
• Manage litigation disputes settlements and external legal counsel
• Support employment procurement technology and investment matters
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and guide the implementation of required changes
• Build and develop the legal team policies templates and contract management processes

Bachelor s degree in Law or Sharia; a postgraduate qualification is preferred.

Substantial legal experience in Saudi Arabia, including senior leadership responsibility within an established organisation or reputable law firm.

Strong knowledge of Saudi corporate, commercial, employment, and regulatory matters.

Proven experience negotiating complex agreements and managing significant disputes.

Experience advising executive leadership and boards.

Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and team leadership skills.

Professional fluency in Arabic and English, including legal drafting.

Professional Credentials

• A Saudi licence to practise law or another recognised legal professional qualification is preferred.
• Relevant qualifications in corporate governance, compliance, or arbitration are an advantage.