[Hiring] Senior Legal Counsel @Mashreq

Role Description

The senior legal counsel will lead and provide expert legal support on complex and high-value banking and finance transactions, including:

• Bilateral and syndicated loans
• Structured finance
• Cross-border and multi-jurisdictional matters
• Specialist banking products

Operating with significant autonomy, the role involves:

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating financing documentation, including LMA-based agreements and security packages
• Advising on regulatory and legal risk issues across the bank’s Corporate & Investment Banking, International Banking, and Treasury and Capital Markets divisions

This role requires deep expertise in UAE and international banking laws, financial services regulation, and a proven track record in navigating sophisticated financing structures and regulatory frameworks.

As a senior member of the Legal Division, the senior legal counsel will:

• Represent the bank in high-level meetings with clients, regulators, industry bodies, and internal stakeholders
• Manage external counsel
• Contribute to legal policy development
• Support bank-wide strategic initiatives, including innovation, digital transformation, and emerging technologies
• Mentor junior legal staff and promote best practices in legal advice and documentation standards

Strong leadership, commercial acumen, and the ability to deliver under pressure in a dynamic, multicultural environment are essential.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in a similar legal counsel role, preferably in the banking and finance industry
• Deep expertise in UAE and international banking laws and financial services regulations
• Proven track record in managing complex financing structures and regulatory frameworks
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to represent the bank effectively
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities, with a focus on developing junior legal talent
• Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent commercial acumen and a results-driven approach
• Strong cultural awareness and the ability to thrive in a multicultural setting
• A relevant legal qualification, such as a law degree or equivalent
• Experience in a remote working role, preferably in a similar industry or sector

Requirements

• Minimum 8–10 years’ post-qualification experience in Core Areas preferably with a top-tier law firm or financial institution
• Core Areas: International Banking & Finance; Corporate Finance; Corporate and Commercial; Treasury and Capital Markets; Transaction Banking (Trade Finance and Cash Solutions); Investment Banking; Asset-Based, Structured and Leverage Finance; Financial Markets; Financial Services and Financial Services Regulation
• Law degree from a reputable university; admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction
• Possess strong expertise in banking, finance, and financial services, including relevant legal and regulatory frameworks
• Proven track record in complex, high-value financing transactions across multiple jurisdictions
• Experience leading legal projects, managing timelines, resources, and stakeholders
• Skilled in analysing complex issues and advising with a strategic legal risk focus
• Effective collaboration with business units, support functions, external counsel, and key stakeholders
• Strong legal drafting and research skills
• Problem solving and analytical thinking
• Deep understanding of LMA documentation
• Skilled in collaborating effectively with multicultural teams
• Effective communication and people skills
• Agile and proven ability to perform under pressure with composure and focus
• Legal practice certificate or licence
• Fluent in English (Arabic is a plus)

Responsibilities

• Lead and provide expert legal support on complex banking and finance transactions, including loans, structured finance, and cross-border matters
• Draft, review, and negotiate financing documentation, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
• Advise on legal and regulatory risks across the bank's Wholesale Banking divisions
• Represent MashreqBank in high-level meetings with clients, regulators, and industry bodies
• Manage external counsel and contribute to the development of legal policies and strategies
• Support bank-wide initiatives, including innovation, digital transformation, and emerging technologies
• Mentor junior legal staff and promote best practices in legal advice and documentation standards
• Stay updated on UAE and international banking laws and financial services regulations
• Navigate sophisticated financing structures and regulatory frameworks with ease
• Demonstrate strong leadership, commercial acumen, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, multicultural environment