General Counsel (Chief Legal Officer), Sovereign Institutional Investor - Riyadh

Background:

Our client, a leading institutional investor with one of the largest and most diversified portfolios in the GCC, is seeking to appoint a General Counsel to lead its legal function, based in Riyadh . Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a senior executive position with broad responsibility for all legal matters related to the company’s investment transactions, operations, and governance.

Operating at the forefront of the Kingdom’s long-term economic transformation, the organisation plays a pivotal role in both Saudi and international markets, with exposure across public and private asset classes. The General Counsel will serve as a trusted advisor to the Board and executive leadership, oversee internal and external counsel, and ensure robust compliance across jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all legal aspects of complex investment transactions including M&A, joint ventures, fund formation, and structured finance.
• Act as the principal legal advisor to the Board, CEO, CIOs, and Committees on corporate, investment, governance, and regulatory matters.
• Negotiate and coordinate with international and local law firms to ensure high-quality legal support across diverse sectors and jurisdictions.
• Ensure robust governance, compliance, and control frameworks that support high-velocity investment execution.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with relevant Saudi, GCC, and international laws and regulatory developments.
• Build and mentor a high-performing legal team and foster a culture of commercial awareness and legal excellence.
• Support key strategic partnerships with sovereign funds, corporates, and financial institutions both locally and globally.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Strong expertise in cross-border M&A, corporate finance, private equity, and public equity structures.
• Currently serving as General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, or Head of Legal at a major investment institution, sovereign fund, or financial group (this role is not a developmental step-up).
• At least 10+ years of legal experience, including time at a leading international law firm or in-house within a fund, asset manager, or capital arm of a bank.
• Qualified lawyer in a recognized jurisdiction (e.g., Saudi Arabia, UK, US, Canada, etc.); Saudi legal accreditation preferred.
• Experience spanning both international and Saudi legal frameworks, with deep familiarity with CMA, SAMA, and MISA. Direct transactional experience in Saudi Arabia is essential.
• Fluent in Arabic and English, with the ability to operate seamlessly in both legal and business contexts.
• A track record of leadership in respected institutions with evidence of stability and long-term value creation