General Counsel (GCL001)

Foreground is partnering with a fast-growing Saudi conglomerate with operations in infrastructure, real estate, manufacturing, and energy services to appoint a legally seasoned and commercially attunedGeneral Counsel , based in Riyadh. This role will serve as the groups chief legal advisor, tasked with protecting the companys interests, enabling strategic transactions, and establishing a legal function that is both proactive and aligned with the complexities of operating across regulated sectors in the Kingdom.

Role Purpose

To establish and lead a best-in-class legal department, managing legal strategy, corporate governance, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance across all group companies and jurisdictions, while serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the board.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all legal matters including corporate structuring, contract negotiation, M&A, litigation, regulatory compliance, and governance support across the group.
• Advise the board, executive leadership, and business units on legal risk exposure, regulatory changes, and major commercial negotiations.
• Oversee legal due diligence and documentation for joint ventures, investment partnerships, land acquisitions, and construction contracts.
• Review and standardize commercial contracts, supplier agreements, shareholder agreements, and NDAs across subsidiaries.
• Ensure group-wide compliance with Saudi commercial, labor, tax, competition, and sector-specific laws.
• Manage external legal counsel relationships and ensure cost-effective legal support across jurisdictions.
• Coordinate with internal audit, compliance, and governance functions to align legal oversight with enterprise risk frameworks.
• Provide legal input on IPO preparation, governance reform, and potential international expansion strategies.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 15+ years of legal experience, with at least 5+ years in a senior in-house or general counsel role in a diversified Saudi business environment.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi corporate law, commercial litigation, real estate transactions, and regulatory frameworks relevant to government contracting and investment holding.
• Bachelors degree in Law from a recognized institution; LLM or postgraduate qualification preferred.
• Licensed to practice law in Saudi Arabia, with deep familiarity with court procedures, arbitration, and regulatory engagement.
• Experience advising C-suite executives and boards, with the maturity to manage sensitive, high-impact decisions.

Preferred Skills & Traits

• Structured, principled, and commercially aware legal thinker.
• Confident negotiator and consensus-builder, able to manage complex stakeholder dynamics.
• Fluent in Arabic and English, with strong legal drafting ability in both languages.

Required Skills:

Corporate Governance Subsidiaries Compliance Dynamics Operations Mitigation Acquisitions Contract Negotiation Business Units Oversight Due Diligence Internal Audit Regulatory Compliance Real Estate Arabic Partnerships Energy Tax Government Infrastructure Manufacturing Strategy Construction Negotiation Preparation Documentation Business English Leadership