Senior Project Finance Associate

Clifford Chance; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Clifford Chance in Saudi Arabia seeks a finance-focused lawyer to handle banking, Islamic finance and project finance matters across the MENA region. You will join a team known for its international scope and top-tier clients, supporting complex cross-border deals.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record in finance transactions, strong English drafting skills, and a genuine interest in the Middle East. Arabic fluency is valued but not required; Saudi law exposure is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of acting on a variety of finance transactions.
• All candidates should be fluent in English and will have previous experience working in a "Magic Circle" or top tier international law firm. Fluency in Arabic language would be valued but it is not a prerequisite.
• First class legal ability with a practical commercial approach; excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills; exceptional academic results required.
• Experience in advising on Saudi Law aspects of international cross-border transactions would be advantageous.
• Genuine interest in or affinity for the Middle East.

Responsibilities

• You will be given the opportunity to handle a variety of work, including general banking and finance, Islamic finance and, project finance transactions.

Skills

Fluent English

Legal drafting

Analytical skills

Communication

Job description

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not‑for‑profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world‑class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our Teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Job Description

The Role

Our work spans the whole of the MENA region and beyond. The team advise on the full range of banking and project finance transactions including limited recourse project finance, Islamic finance, secured and unsecured bilateral and syndicated loans, leveraged and acquisition finance, rescheduling and restructuring, loan transfers, derivatives and other financial products.

The team offers specialist advice in the following legal areas:

• Bank Lending: Advising on the full range of banking transactions including secured and unsecured bilateral and syndicated loans, leveraged and acquisition finance, rescheduling and restructuring, loan transfers, participations and acquisitions and disposals.
• Projects: Clients include arrangers, lenders, debt and equity financiers, borrowers, project sponsors, export‑credit agencies and international financial organisations.
• Islamic finance – we devise and deliver financing solutions that are specific to the needs of our clients.
• The team devises and delivers financing solutions that are specific to the needs of our clients. As a leader in the growing Islamic finance field, in the past year Clifford Chance has closed more than US$25 billion worth of transactions – groundbreaking deals that have provided innovative Shari'a compliant structures for clients in markets across the Middle East and beyond.

Key Attractions

You will work on leading deals for top tier clients. The range, calibre and international scope of the deal flow is unique.

You will work on leading deals for top tier clients. The range, calibre and international scope of the deal flow is unique.

• The lenders to Saudi Aramco on a USD10 Billion Term Loan Financing;
• The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund on a number of high‑profile mandates both in Saudi Arabia and internationally including a USD10 Billion Term Loan Financing;
• Several Government ministries on privatisation mandates, implementing one of the key objectives of the Saudi “Vision 2030”;
• The merger of SABB and Al-Alawwal, two of the leading banks in Saudi Arabia;
• The acquisition of souq.com (the Middle East’s leading online retailer) by Amazon;
• Crédit Agricole on the disposal of a 16.2% stake in Banque Saudi Fransi to Kingdom Holding Company;
• the financiers on the US$10 billion revolving credit facility financing for Saudi Aramco. The financing combined a US$3 billion Islamic Murabaha facility, and a US$7 billion conventional facility, provided by over 30 banks; and
• General Electric on the Saudi aspects of its US$17bn acquisition of Alstom’s global power transmission business.

The sophisticated internal training programme offered is unmatched in the region and includes local monthly courses run by The Academy with the opportunity to attend training programmes across the Clifford Chance network of offices.

The team is proud of their reputation for being a very informal, supportive, and meritocratic group.

You will feel part of a well organised and structured team which forms a supportive environment in which you can learn and flourish.

Key Responsibilities

• You will be given the opportunity to handle a variety of work, including general banking and finance, Islamic finance and, project finance transactions.

Qualifications

Your Experience

• Proven track record of acting on a variety of finance transactions.
• All candidates should be fluent in English and will have previous experience working in a \"Magic Circle\" or top tier international law firm. Fluency in Arabic language would be valued but it is not a prerequisite.
• In all cases, candidates should have first class legal ability coupled with a practical commercial approach; excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills; and enjoy being part of a friendly outgoing team. You must also have exceptional results throughout your academic history. All candidates should be fluent in English.
• Experience in, or exposure to, advising on Saudi Law aspects of international cross-border transactions would be advantageous.
• You should also have a genuine and demonstrable interest in, or affinity for, the Middle East.