VP of Legal Affairs & Board Secretary

Michael Page (UAE); Riyadh; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client is a well-established, rapidly growing financial services organisation operating in a highly regulated environment. The role leads the Legal Affairs function, providing strategic legal advice across corporate, regulatory, and governance matters.

As Board Secretary, you will manage board and committee meetings, agendas, minutes, and governance documentation, partnering closely with the CEO, Board and senior leaders on governance and corporate strategy initiatives.

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in Legal Affairs and Board Secretariat functions.
• Background in fintech or regulated financial services.
• Experience supporting Boards and Board Committees, including Audit and Nomination & Remuneration.
• Strong written and verbal English communication with executive presence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Legal Affairs function and provide strategic legal advice across corporate, regulatory, and governance matters.
• Act as Board Secretary, managing board meetings, agendas, minutes, resolutions, and governance docs.
• Partner with the CEO, Board, and senior executives on governance, compliance and corporate strategy initiatives.
• Design and implement governance frameworks, committees, charters, mandates and operating models.
• Ensure ongoing regulatory compliance within a highly regulated financial services environment.
• Establish new governance structures and committees, supporting governance evolution.

Skills

Governance leadership

Regulatory compliance

Legal strategy

Fintech / regulated FS knowledge

Executive communication

Job description

• Lead legal, governance, and board affairs within a regulated fintech
• Strategic advisor to the C EO, Board, and senior leadership team

About Our Client

Our client is a well-established and rapidly growing financial services organisation operating within a highly regulated environment. With ambitious growth plans and a strong governance agenda, the business is focused on building best-in-class legal and corporate governance capabilities.

Job Description

• Lead the Legal Affairs function, providing strategic legal advice across corporate, regulatory, and governance matters.
• Act as Board Secretary, managing Board and Committee meetings, agendas, minutes, resolutions, and governance documentation.
• Partner closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior executives on governance, compliance, and corporate strategy initiatives.
• Design and implement governance frameworks, including the establishment of new Board and Executive Committees, committee charters, mandates, and operating models.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory expectations and corporate governance standards within a highly regulated financial services environment.
• Lead the establishment of new governance structures, including the Risk & Credit Committee and Executive Committee, and play a key role in the organisation's governance evolution.

The Successful Applicant

• Significant senior-level experience across Legal Affairs, Corporate Governance, and Board Secretariat functions.
• Proven background within fintech, banking, financing, or other regulated financial services organisations.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Boards and Board Committees, including Board of Directors, Audit Committees, and Nomination & Remuneration Committees.
• Strong understanding of Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) governance and regulatory requirements, with experience developing governance structures and frameworks.
• Exceptional written and verbal English communication skills, with the executive presence to influence senior stakeholders and Board members.
• Proven experience establishing and enhancing Board and Executive Committee structures, including committee charters, governance frameworks, mandates, and operating procedures.

What's on Offer

• Strategic leadership role with direct exposure to the CEO, Board of Directors, and key Board Committees.
• High-impact position offering the opportunity to influence corporate governance, regulatory engagement, and strategic decision-making at Board level.
• Visibility across senior stakeholders and the chance to act as a trusted advisor on complex legal and governance matters.
• KSA National Opportunity