Associate - Corporate, Governance and Legal

SoutienGroupisaboutique advisoryandconsultingfirm specializingonmarketentries,businesslocalization,expansion,relocation, businessdevelopmentand stakeholdermanagement strategiesacrossQatar,SaudiArabia, UAEandOman.

Ourclientsarecorporate,privateandinternational withaninterestinexploringnewmarkets.

Wecreateanddevelop, initiate,mediateand represent,coordinate, organizeandsupervise forandonbehalfofour clientsfromaround theworld.

Wesupportentrepreneurs,fastgrowingbusinesses,smallandmediumenterprisesaswellas multi-nationalcorporations frompreparation,formationandexpansiontotransitionacrossawiderangeofsectors.

Role Description

This is a full-time role for an Associate - Corporate, Governance and Legal. The Associate - Corporate, Governance and Legal will be responsible for providing advice and guidance to clients on corporate law matters, drafting and reviewing contracts, managing regulatory compliance, and representing clients. The role also includes ensuring adherence to local laws and regulations, overseeing legal risks, and maintaining proper documentation to safeguard the interests of clients and the organization.

Key Responsibilities 1. Corporate Secretarial & Governance

• Draft, review, and maintain corporate documentation, including shareholder/director resolutions, registers, minutes, memoranda and articles of association, and statutory filings
• Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable regulations across relevant jurisdictions (e.g. QFC, QFZ, AIFC, UAE free zones, and mainland regimes)
• Maintainand update statutory registers (shareholders, directors, officers, UBOs) and corporate records
• Support corporate governance frameworks, including documentation of decision making processes and internal policies

2. Regulatory Filings & Corporate Actions

• Prepare, submit, and follow up on applications with regulators for incorporations, amendments, license renewals, liquidations, and other corporate actions
• Liaise with authorities such as Qatar Financial Centre Authority, Qatar Free Zones Authority, Astana International Financial Center and relevant UAE free zone authorities
• Monitor deadlines (e.g. annual returns, AFS filings, renewals) and ensure timely submissions

3. Legal Drafting & Documentation

• Draft and review a broad range of legal and commercial documents, including service agreements, shareholder agreements, powers of attorney, and engagement letters
• Support structuring and documentation of transactions (e.g. share transfers, restructuring, governance changes)
• Ensure consistency and quality of legal documentation across client engagements

4. Client & Transaction Support

• Act as a point of contact for clients on corporate secretarial and legal documentation matters
• Support onboarding processes, including KYC/AML documentation and coordination with internal compliance teams
• Assist in managing multi jurisdictional projects and coordinating with external counsel, auditors, and advisors

5. Compliance & Risk Management

• Support internal compliance processes, including AML/CFT procedures applicable to DNFBPs
• Assist in identifying legal and regulatory risks and ensuring appropriate documentation and mitigation measures
• Maintain proper audit trails and documentation standards for all client engagements

6. Knowledge & Content Development

• Contribute to thought leadership, including drafting articles, client alerts, newsletters, and short presentations
• Support thedevelopment of internal templates, precedents, and best practices
• Monitor regulatory developments in key markets (Qatar, UAE, KSA, Oman, Kazakhstan) and provide internal updates

Education & Professional Background

• Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB) or a related field (LLM is an advantage)
• Additional qualifications in corporate governance or company secretarial practice (e.g. ICSA/CGI) are a plus

2-6 years of experience in:

• a corporate services provider, law firm, or professional services firm, or
• an in-house legal / corporate secretarial function with exposure to multi jurisdictional structures
• Hands on experience with company incorporation, corporate maintenance, and regulatory filings
• Familiarity with jurisdictions such as QFC, QFZ, AIFC, UAE free zones (e.g. DIFC, ADGM, DMCC, IFZA) is highly desirable

Technical Skills

• Strong legal drafting skills across corporate and commercial documentation
• Solid understanding of corporate governance and compliance frameworks
• Working knowledge of AML/KYC requirements and regulatoryenvironments in the GCC
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines across jurisdictions

Soft Skills & Profile

• High level of attention to detail and organizational skills
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) with a professional, client facing approach
• Abilityto work independently while coordinating within a small, high performing team
• Commercial awareness and ability to balance legal precision with practical solutions