Senior Legal Advisor

RETAL; Al Khobar; On-site; SAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

RETAL in Saudi Arabia seeks a strategic Legal Counsel – Major Projects & Corporate to lead the legal architecture of its multi-billion SAR portfolio, focusing on high-stakes transactions and complex developments.

You will own the full legal lifecycle from inception to operation, structure JVs and DMAs, negotiate DMAs, HMAs, and sport/construction contracts, and ensure governance across project subsidiaries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws; Saudi Bar license preferred.
• 7+ years PQE in major real estate development or top-tier firm.
• Experience drafting and negotiating DMAs, HMAs, and development contracts.
• Proficient in Saudi real estate law and international operator agreements.
• Fluency in Arabic and English, especially in legal drafting and negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Lead advisory on strategic transactions across hotel, sports, and residential assets.
• Structure JVs and SPVs; draft MOUs, Heads of Terms, and FIDIC suites.
• Oversee construction and operations contracts; manage risk and governance.
• Negotiate with international partners and ensure commercial protection.

Skills

Strategic Negotiation

Contract Drafting

Risk Management

Real Estate Transactions

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Saudi Bar License preferred

Tools

FIDIC Contracts

DMAs

HMA Agreements

JV Structuring

Job description

We are seeking a strategic Legal Counsel – Major Projects & Corporate to serve as a primary legal architect for the organization’s multi-billion SAR portfolio. This is not a standard generalist role; it is a specialized position for a lawyer who thrives on high-stakes transactions and wants to shape the skylines of the future.

In this role, you will act as a lead advisor on strategic transactions, owning the legal lifecycle of complex mixed-use developments from inception to operation. This includes structuring Joint Ventures and strategic partnerships, negotiating Development Management Agreements (DMAs), and overseeing the execution of high-value construction, hospitality, and sports facility contracts. You will be the legal bridge between our investment ambitions and operational reality, ensuring robust commercial protection across our hotel, sports club, and residential assets.

Beyond transaction management, you will function as a corporate guardian, conducting comprehensive risk assessments and managing the corporate governance of our project subsidiaries. You will be responsible for drafting and finalizing critical commercial frameworks—including MOUs, Heads of Terms, Club Management Agreements, and FIDIC-based construction suites—ensuring every agreement aligns with Retal’s long‑term strategic vision.

We are looking for a proactive "Business Partner" who looks beyond the contract clauses to understand the commercial reality. You are a bilingual problem‑solver who can navigate the complexities of Saudi Real Estate laws and international operator agreements with equal fluency. You have the confidence to negotiate with global partners and the technical precision to draft watertight agreements that protect our interests for decades to come.

The Candidate Profile

Education & Licensure

• Degree: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a recognized university is required; an LLM is a distinct advantage.
• Qualification: Licensed to practice law. (A Saudi Bar License is highly preferred; international qualifications with significant KSA real estate experience will be considered).

Experience

• Tenure: 7+ years of Post-Qualification Experience (PQE).
• Background: Must have a proven track record within a Major Real Estate Developer or a Top-Tier Law Firm (Construction, Projects, or Real Estate practice).

Technical Expertise

• Construction & Development: Mastery of FIDIC suites and Development Management Agreements (DMAs). You must be capable of managing both contentious and non-contentious construction matters.
• Operational Assets: Deep experience drafting and negotiating Operational Agreements for specialized assets, specifically Development Management Agreements, Hotel Management Agreements (HMAs) and Sports Club/Facility Management Agreements.
• Corporate Structuring: Strong capability in structuring Joint Ventures (JVs), Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), and MOUs for high‑value strategic partnerships.

Key Competencies

• Commercial Acumen: You do not just identify risk; you translate legal exposure into financial impact for the C‑Suite and Investment Committee.
• Strategic Negotiator: Proven ability to lead high‑stakes negotiations with international operators and partners under tight deadlines.
• Resilience: You thrive in a high‑pressure, fast‑paced environment where agility and detail‑orientation are paramount.

Language Proficiency

• Bilingual Fluency: Native‑level proficiency in Arabic and English (specifically in Legal Drafting & Negotiation) is non‑negotiable.