Legal Counsel

IFS; Riyad Al Khabra; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Legal Counsel to manage a wide range of legal matters within the APJMEA business. This role involves providing legal advice, drafting contracts, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. Candidates must hold a law degree, possess at least 3–5 years of experience, and have the ability to communicate effectively in both Arabic and English. The position is based in Riyadh with the expectation to work on-site at least three days a week.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years PQE as an in-house or transactional attorney with IT/Software contracts experience.
• Admitted to practice law in Saudi, UAE, England & Wales, or US jurisdictions.
• Saudi national or authorized to work in Saudi Arabia.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and commercial advice to all functions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts including software licenses.
• Liaise with external counsel and authorities.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication in Arabic and English

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Teamwork

Education

Law degree from a recognized university

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Company Description

IFS is a billion-dollar revenue company with 6000+ employees across all continents. Our leading AI technology forms the backbone of our award-winning enterprise software solutions, enabling our customers to excel at critical moments—at the Moment of Service. Our commitment to internal AI adoption keeps us at the forefront of technological advancements, empowering our colleagues to unlock creativity and productivity with cutting-edge solutions.

At IFS, we are flexible, innovative, and focused on engaging with our customers and making a global impact. We aim to solve society's greatest challenges through agility, collaboration, and trust.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive workforce that reflects the diverse cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints of our customers, partners, and communities. As an international company serving people worldwide, we believe our success depends on respecting different perspectives.

Joining our team offers the opportunity to be part of a global, diverse environment, work with a winning team, and contribute to a commitment to sustainability. Our goal is to enable you to make a positive impact on the world.

We seek innovative and original thinkers to work in an environment where you can #MakeYourMoment. With our AI-driven solutions, we empower our team to challenge the status quo and make a real difference.

If you want to change the status quo, we will help you make your moment. Join Team Purple. Join IFS.

Job Description

Legal Counsels (APJ&MEA) handle a broad spectrum of legal matters within the APJMEA business. They collaborate with stakeholders to ensure successful business processes and provide counsel on contract terms, laws, regulations, and company policies.

Reporting to the Head of Legal APJMEA, they work with business teams across time zones in the region, especially with IFS Middle East in Dubai, although the role is based in Riyadh. IFS expects staff to work in the office at least 3 days a week.

Principal Accountabilities:

1. Provide timely, pragmatic legal and commercial advice to all functions.
2. Explain and bridge Western legal systems and culture with Saudi legal systems and culture.
3. Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws and regulations and support compliance.
4. Draft, review, and negotiate various commercial contracts including software licenses, consulting contracts, project implementation services, SaaS, teaming agreements, prime and subcontractor agreements, RFQ, RFP, reseller, and NDA agreements.
5. Negotiate and draft contract terms, primarily for software licenses, support & maintenance, and partner agreements, especially during quarterly sales cycles.
6. Assist sales teams in closing deals with responsiveness and pragmatism.
7. Review and approve variations to standard contracts within approval matrices and policies.
8. Review and improve legal processes, structures, and procedures for efficiency and compliance.
9. Develop and maintain legal systems and records, primarily through Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems.
10. Build good working relationships with Corporate General Counsel, regional legal counsel, and business units, especially Sales.
11. Liaise with external counsel and authorities.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills:

• 3–5 years PQE as an in-house or transactional attorney, with experience in IT/Software contracts, especially licensing.
• Admitted to practice law in Saudi, UAE, England & Wales, or US jurisdictions.
• Saudi national or authorized to work in Saudi Arabia.
• Law degree from a recognized university.
• Ability to analyze problems quickly and provide practical advice.
• Strong attention to detail and high-level drafting and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication in both Arabic and English.
• Effective team and independent worker, capable of managing multiple tasks across functions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, curious about AI innovations.
• Ability to work remotely across time zones and travel as needed.