Head of Legal & Board Secretary

Head of Legal & Board Secretary

Sundus Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

Job Code: 5498

Job Title: Head of Legal and Board Secretary Role

Job Location: Abu Dhabi

Seniority level: Mid Senior level

Employment type: Full time

Job function: Legal

Industries: Insurance

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal counsel to the CEO, Board, and Executive Team on all corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters.
• Lead the Legal Department, managing lawyers, advisors, and external counsel with clear KPIs and accountability.
• Interpret and implement insurance specific laws (UAE Insurance Authority, Central Bank, SCA, etc.).
• Draft, review and negotiate high risk contracts: reinsurance treaties, bancassurance agreements, third party administration (TPA), distribution, and IT vendor contracts.
• Manage all litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution (claims, underwriting, HR, compliance, shareholder disputes).
• Ensure legal risk assessments are conducted for all major corporate initiatives (new products, system integrations, cross border operations).
• Oversee compliance with local and international laws (CBUAE, ESR, AML/CFT, GDPR, FATCA/CRS where applicable).
• Liaise directly with regulators (Central Bank, SCA, Ministry of Economy) on audits, inspections and license renewals.
• Maintain a strong legal framework to support ongoing digital transformation, AI use, and cyber risk mitigation.
• Act as Secretary to the Board of Directors, ensuring best practice in governance, disclosure and documentation.
• Organise and document all Board, NRC, Audit, Risk & Compliance, Investment and Executive Committee meetings.
• Prepare and maintain Board agendas, resolutions, minutes and secure confidential records.
• Ensure timely delivery of board packs, regulatory reports and corporate governance disclosures.
• Guide directors on fiduciary duties, board evaluations and code of conduct adherence.
• Partner with Risk & Compliance to manage legal and reputational risks across the organisation.
• Establish and update internal policies, charters and frameworks (Whistle blower, Conflict of Interest, Code of Ethics).
• Conduct legal training for staff on key compliance areas (AML/CFT, competition law, data privacy).
• Champion an ethical and compliant culture throughout the organisation.
• Lead legal due diligence and structuring of M&A, joint ventures and shareholding changes.
• Draft shareholder agreements, resolutions, capital increases and special regulatory approvals.
• Support group restructuring initiatives, free zone expansions and strategic partnerships.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in the insurance sector with deep knowledge of UAE insurance regulation.
• Proven track record in leading a legal department and managing external counsel.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills for high risk commercial agreements.
• Experience with litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution in insurance and commercial contexts.
• Knowledge of local and international regulatory frameworks (CBUAE, ESR, AML/CFT, GDPR, FATCA/CRS).
• Demonstrated ability to oversee board governance and corporate compliance.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and leadership skills.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast paced environment and manage multiple priorities.