Division Manager, Legal Operations

Islamic Development Bank (IsDB); Jeddah; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent international financial institution is seeking a Division Manager to lead Legal Operations in Jeddah. The role requires providing legal guidance, managing a team, and advising on compliance matters in cross-border trade. Candidates should hold a Master's degree in law with 9+ years of experience, including 3 years in a managerial capacity. Competency in English is essential, and knowledge of Arabic or French is a plus. The position offers a conditional regular appointment with a closing date for applications on January 29, 2026.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 9 years of experience in legal operations or related field.
• At least 3 years in a managerial or leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Operations Division, ensuring legal compliance.
• Establish strategies and manage the team within the Legal Division.
• Provide legal advice on financing agreements and contracts.
• Oversee legal due diligence processes for transactions.

Skills

English

Arabic

French

Education

Masters degree in law

Specialization in trade finance or international business law

Job description

Title: Division Manager, Legal Operations
Requisition ID: 5776

Business Unit: Risk & Control Complex

Department: Legal

Division: Legal Operations

Country: Saudi Arabia

Location: Jeddah

Job Grade: M2

Contract Type: Conditional Regular Appointment

Closing Date: 29-January-2026

Overview

The Legal Department (LD) is the custodian of legal affairs of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and its mandate is to advise on all legal issues affecting ITFC’s business and providing legal services and solutions to enable the fulfilment of ITFC’s mission and vision.

Job Purpose

This role is responsible for leading the Operations Division and advising on the overall ITFC strategy from a legal standpoint by communicating issues, legal risks, opportunities and trends on a regular basis to the General Manager of the Legal Department. This role is also responsible for the implementation of cross‑border trade activities and promotion by providing opinion and advice from a legal compliance perspective.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic and Managerial Responsibilities

• Establishing the Operations Division’s short and mid‑term strategy in consultation with the General Manager of the Legal Department.
• Developing key policies, directives, operating procedures and manuals necessary for the effectiveness of the Legal Division.
• Advising on the business direction and vision for ITFC, in alignment with strategic priorities for the organization and identifying enablers for success in the long term, in collaboration with the senior leadership.
• Managing the team within the Legal Division by evaluating performance of team members against set targets, providing feedback on an ongoing basis, identifying development needs and coaching team members to ensure ongoing capability development.
• Distributing the roles and assignments within the Division in consultation with the General Manager.
• Identifying the Division’s key enablers for successful delivery and formulation of budgetary requirements in consultation with the General Manager of the Legal Department.

Legal Advice and Due Diligence

• Provide legal advice and guidance for business requirements on matters related to the legal scope, such as financing agreements, international agreements, contracts and other matters that pose legal risks.
• Clearance of legal opinion from law firms where appropriate for matters related to legal needs of ITFC.
• Clearance of financing agreements and contracts between ITFC and counterparties to ensure legal risks are addressed and mitigated.
• Clearance of financing agreements and contractual obligations that ITFC is a party of with respect to legal implications and requirements of concerned parties.
• Raise any legal risk to the General Manager of the Legal Department pertaining to internal business practice to safeguard the interest of ITFC.
• Supervise the legal due diligence process of transactions within the division in order to ensure legality in trade operations, resource mobilization processes, liquidity investments and any other interactions with ITFC counterparts.
• Clearance of legal opinions on financing and investment agreements that contain fulfillment and conditions to be met.
• Ensure agreements ITFC is party to are in full compliance with the regulatory requirements of the member country's legal environment.
• Support the team in charge of ITFC Legal affairs, as needed.
• Analyzing and presenting activity and performance reports of the Division/Department to ITFC senior management.
• Forging and maintaining partnerships with trade organizations, multilateral development banks, world trade bodies as well as partnerships with locally based legal service providers across member countries in order to solicit expert local legal advice and ensure representation in coordination with the General Manager, Legal Department.

Academic And Professional Qualifications

• Masters degree in law
• Specialization in trade finance related matters or international business law is preferred
• Minimum of 9 years of experience
• Minimum of 3 years in a Managerial/Leadership role

Skills & Necessary Knowledge

• English is compulsory
• Arabic and/or French is a plus

About Application Process

If you meet the criteria and you are enthusiastic about the role, we would welcome your application. To complete the application you would need the following document(s):

• Resume/CV
• Copy of passport
• Academic certificate

If you are currently an IsDB Regular staff applying for this role and get selected through the competitive selection process; your current contract type and other terms and conditions will remain unchanged.

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) does not ask for payments of any kind from applicants throughout the recruitment process (job application, CV review, interview meeting, and final processing of applications). In addition, the IsDB does not request information on applicants’ bank accounts. The IsDB declines all responsibility for the fraudulent publications of job posts or job offers in its name or, in general, for the fraudulent use of its name in any way whatsoever.