Legal Counsel – Project Development & Finance

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Project Development / Project Finance Lawyer to join our in-house legal team in the PPP/Project Development subsidiary of a major Saudi family group. The role will focus on supporting the structuring, negotiation, and delivery of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and project development transactions in the construction and infrastructure sectors . This is a strategic position offering exposure to landmark projects with key clients e.g. NEOM, Saudi Aramco, the NCP, that are central to Saudi Arabia’s economic development and Vision 2030 agenda.

Reporting to the Head of Legal, the successful candidate should be able to work with minimal supervision and will work closely with the business development, commercial, and finance teams, as well as external advisors, to ensure that projects are structured, negotiated, and delivered efficiently and with appropriate risk allocation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal support across the full lifecycle of PPP and project development transactions , from initial structuring through to financial close and execution.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of project-related contracts, including:
• Concession agreements / PPP agreements
• EPC, O&M, and subcontract agreements
• Financing agreements
• Partnering agreements
• Ancillary contracts e.g. NDAs, supply agreements, consultancy agreements etc.
• Advise internal stakeholders on contract interpretation, legal, compliance, and regulatory issues relevant to large-scale infrastructure and construction projects.
• Coordinate with external counsel, advisors, and lenders to ensure transactions are delivered smoothly and aligned with company objectives.
• Monitor regulatory and legal developments in Saudi Arabia and impacting KSA companies, PPPs, infrastructure, and project financing.
• Contribute to the development of legal processes, policies, and templates to improve efficiency and risk management within the business.

Key Requirements

• Qualified lawyer with 5–10 years PQE (UK, US, or equivalent common law jurisdiction preferred; Saudi-qualified candidates with international law firm experience also welcome).
• Strong track record in project development and/or project finance , ideally with significant experience in PPP or large scale infrastructure projects .
• Previous experience gained in-house with a large developer, infrastructure company, or financial institution , or at a leading international law firm advising sponsors/lenders on PPP/infrastructure projects.
• Construction litigation/company secretarial/commercial contracts/compliance experience advantageous.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with Saudi laws and government systems is highly advantageous.
• Arabic language skills are an advantage but not essential.

What We Offer

• The chance to play a key role in delivering landmark PPP and infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia.
• A dynamic in-house environment for a company in an exponential stage of growth.
• Hybrid working arrangements , with flexibility balanced against business needs.
• Competitive compensation and benefits, with strong career development opportunities.