Legal Counsel UAE & Middle East (UAE Nationals Only)

Legal Counsel UAE & Middle East (UAE Nationals Only)

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Responsibilities

• Maintain comprehensive awareness and understanding of the Group's overarching regional and country-specific business strategies, ensuring their seamless integration within the Legal Function throughout the Middle East markets.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of Legal Middle East and the Middle East Legal cluster team to identify, assess, and elevate legal risks and critical litigation matters, fostering a proactive approach to legal risk management.
• Develop and implement forward-looking strategies to identify emerging legal horizon risks, while strengthening partnerships with regulatory authorities across the region to support compliance and operational excellence.
• Adhere rigorously to the Group Management Responsibility Policy to assure robust risk management practices and the establishment of effective control mechanisms, with particular attention to operations within Saudi Arabia.
• Offer timely, proactive legal advice to the Africa & Middle East (AME) Regional General Counsel, AME Management Legal team, and other key committees on complex regulatory and legal challenges impacting the Bank's Middle East operations, optimizing collaborative efforts with external legal counsel.

This role involves acting as a trusted legal advisor supporting the Bank's Middle East operations, working in a dynamic and fast paced environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing clear, practical legal guidance to support business growth while effectively managing legal and regulatory risk. You will engage proactively with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, business leaders, and external counsel, to deliver comprehensive legal solutions.

Qualifications

• A qualified international lawyer with a recognised law degree or postgraduate legal qualification aligned with the requirements of this role.
• Post qualification experience, including working within an in house legal environment, ideally within the banking or financial services sector.
• Demonstrated high levels of professional integrity, ethical conduct, independence, and resilience, paired with a proactive and positive attitude towards challenges.
• Proficiency in Arabic at a professional business level and fluency in English to facilitate effective communication across diverse stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly and work flexibly within the Middle East region, adapting to dynamic business needs.
• Strong commercial acumen with practical experience in resolving complex legal and business challenges.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to deliver clear and concise legal advice and collaborate effectively within teams.
• Sound judgment in balancing business strategies, regulatory requirements, legal risks, and reputational considerations.
• A positive demeanor reflected in a robust sense of humour, common sense, and perspective essential for fostering collaboration and resilience in a dynamic environment.

Skills & Experience

• Documentation Drafting: Proficient in drafting clear, thorough, and legally sound contracts and transactional documents that protect the Bank's interests while facilitating business objectives.
• Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: Skilled in negotiating complex agreements and resolving disputes effectively, maintaining positive stakeholder relationships and minimizing potential conflicts.
• Analytical & Research: Strong ability to analyse complex legal issues, conduct in depth research on regulatory and commercial matters, and provide actionable recommendations tailored to business needs.
• Regulatory Compliance: Experience navigating local and international regulatory landscapes, ensuring compliance and liaising with regulators where required.
• Strategic Thinking: Capable of aligning legal advice with the broader business strategies to support sustainable growth and risk management.
• Interpersonal & Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills suited to diverse audiences, fostering collaboration and clarity.

About Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered is a leading international bank with a proud heritage of over 170 years, providing financial services with a purpose. Our footprint spans many countries and markets, where we aim to drive commerce and prosperity by leveraging our unique diversity and inclusive culture.

Benefits

• Retirement and Insurance Benefits: Core bank funding for retirement savings plans, medical coverage, and life insurance, with options for flexible and voluntary benefits tailored to local contexts.
• Generous Time Off: Including annual leave, extended parental and maternity leave (up to 20 weeks), sabbatical leave up to 12 months, and volunteering leave to support work life balance and community engagement.
• Flexible Working: Opportunities for flexible work arrangements that accommodate diverse home and office settings, promoting work integration.
• Wellbeing Support: Access to Unmind, a leading digital wellbeing platform, resilience development courses, a global Employee Assistance Programme, and mental health first aid resources.
• Learning and Development: A culture committed to continuous learning with opportunities to reskill and upskill via physical, virtual, and digital platforms fostering career growth and agility.
• Inclusive and Values Driven Environment: Join an organisation proud of its diverse workforce and inclusive culture where all individuals are respected and empowered.

Job Metadata

Mid Senior level, Full time, Legal, Banking

Application

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