Head of Legal (Financial Services)

Job Title: Head of Legal

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Industry: Financial Services

Overview:

A leading financial institution in KSA is seeking an experienced Head of Legal This is a unique opportunity to join a growing financial institution, overseeing legal operations, governance, and compliance. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience (PQE), including at least 3 years in private practice at a top-tier international law firm.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the legal team, overseeing all legal matters including banking, finance, real estate, corporate transactions, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), and commercial agreements.
• Provide strategic legal advice to the executive team, including the CEO and Board of Directors.
• Manage and supervise a team of in-house legal staff, ensuring high-quality legal deliverables across various departments such as litigation, consultancy, and governance.
• Draft, review, and negotiate various legal agreements including MOUs, joint ventures, corporate restructures, and bankruptcy matters.
• Oversee relationships with external legal firms, both local and international, ensuring efficient management of legal cases and consultations.
• Ensure compliance with Saudi banking and financial regulations, as well as international best practices, and oversee governance for subsidiaries and affiliated entities.
• Act as a corporate governance advisor, managing board meetings, drafting minutes, and ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies.
• Provide legal support on general corporate and commercial matters, with involvement in capital markets transactions and regulatory compliance.

Requirements:

Education:

• Master’s degree in Law (LLM) from a recognised institution in the US or UK.
• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB or JD Equivalent) from a recognised institution.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years PQE, with at least 3 years in private practice at a reputable international law firm.
• Strong background in banking, corporate transactions, and M&A.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large legal teams and handling complex legal matters across banking, corporate, and M&A.
• Previous experience in a leadership role, reporting directly to executive-level leadership (e.g., CEO, Board of Directors).

Key Skills:

• Expertise in banking & finance, corporate law, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Excellent knowledge of banking regulations and conventional financing.
• Ability to manage relationships with external legal advisors and ensure cost-effective legal services.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable.

Preferred Experience:

• Previous experience in board governance and secretarial duties, including managing board meetings, preparing minutes, and advising on corporate governance.
• Experience working with Saudi financial institutions or large organizations with a focus on banking and finance .

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation package and benefits.
• Opportunity to lead the legal function of a prominent financial institution in KSA.
• Exposure to complex and high-profile legal matters.