Head of Dispute Resolution

Location: Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaReporting to: Chief Executive OfficerAbout WASFWASF is a Saudi advocacy and legal consulting firm providing integrated legal and advisory services to national and multinational clients operating in the Kingdom. The firm combines strong legal expertise with a practical understanding of business, regulatory and commercial environments to deliver clear, commercially focused solutions to complex matters.WASF advises clients across corporate and commercial matters, regulatory affairs, governance and compliance, and dispute resolution. Through strategic alliances and relationships with international legal and specialist advisors, the firm also supports clients on cross-border matters and engagements requiring international expertise.WASF offers its professionals the opportunity to work on sophisticated mandates, engage directly with leading businesses and institutions, and contribute to the continued growth of an ambitious and evolving Saudi legal practice.Role OverviewWASF is seeking an experienced Head of Dispute Resolution to lead, develop and grow the firm's litigation, arbitration, enforcement and dispute-management practice.The successful candidate will be responsible for leading significant disputes, developing legal and commercial strategies, supervising the Practice team, building senior client relationships and developing a profitable and sustainable disputes business.The Practice covers four principal areas:LitigationArbitration & ADREnforcement & RecoveryDispute ManagementKey ResponsibilitiesPractice LeadershipLead the Dispute Resolution Practice and be accountable for its overall performance.Develop and execute the Practice's annual business and growth plan.Establish and maintain high standards of advocacy, legal strategy and case management.Supervise significant litigation, arbitration and enforcement matters.Develop and mentor lawyers within the Practice.Ensure appropriate allocation, supervision and escalation of matters.Work closely with Legal Operations & Delivery on deadlines, utilization, workload, capacity and case reporting.LitigationLead complex commercial litigation matters.Lead administrative disputes and proceedings.Advise on corporate and shareholder disputes.Oversee employment-related litigation.Handle regulatory and other specialized disputes.Develop dispute strategies based on legal, evidential and commercial considerations.Review and approve significant pleadings, memoranda and legal submissions.Arbitration & ADRLead domestic and international arbitration mandates.Develop arbitration strategy and oversee proceedings.Lead or support mediation and structured settlement processes.Advise on dispute avoidance and pre-dispute strategy.Lead significant settlement and commercial negotiations.Enforcement & RecoveryLead enforcement proceedings.Advise on enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards.Develop asset and debt recovery strategies.Oversee recovery mandates and associated client reporting.Dispute ManagementConduct early dispute and litigation-risk assessments.Develop dispute portfolio strategies for institutional clients.Oversee case reporting, risk categorization and dispute dashboards.Coordinate cross-border disputes and foreign counsel where required.Support clients in managing significant portfolios of disputes and claims.Identify opportunities for early resolution and dispute prevention.Clients & Business DevelopmentOriginate new dispute mandates and client relationships.Develop and maintain relationships with senior corporate and institutional decision-makers.Maintain a qualified commercial pipeline for the Practice.Lead strategic pitches, proposals, tenders and client meetings.Identify pre-litigation and dispute-prevention advisory opportunities.Cross-sell dispute and advisory services across WASF's client base.Contribute to sector and market-development initiatives.Financial & Commercial ManagementOwn the Practice's revenue and profitability targets.Monitor pricing, fees, collections and matter profitability.Ensure contentious matters are appropriately scoped and commercially managed.Monitor external counsel, experts and third-party costs.Review high-risk, unusual or low-margin mandates before acceptance.Ensure Practice workforce growth is supported by sustainable demand.RequirementsBachelor's degree in Law from a recognized university.Minimum 10 years of relevant dispute-resolution experience.Saudi legal qualification and eligibility to represent clients before the relevant Saudi judicial authorities.Significant experience handling matters before Saudi courts and judicial or quasi-judicial bodies.Demonstrated experience leading complex commercial disputes.Strong understanding of Saudi litigation, evidence, procedural and enforcement requirements.Strong experience drafting and reviewing pleadings, memoranda and formal legal submissions.Arbitration experience is strongly preferred.Proven ability to develop and execute sophisticated dispute strategies.Experience supervising lawyers and managing significant case portfolios.Demonstrated ability to originate business and develop senior client relationships.Strong commercial judgment and negotiation skills.Excellent Arabic legal drafting and advocacy skills.Strong professional English communication and drafting capability.Key Performance ExpectationsThe Head of Dispute Resolution will be assessed against:Practice revenue and profitability.New clients and dispute mandates.Qualified commercial pipeline.Client retention and satisfaction.Collections and matter profitability.Achievement of approved dispute strategies.Settlement and recovery effectiveness where applicable.Procedural and filing compliance.Quality of advocacy and legal submissions.Team utilization, productivity and development.Cross-practice collaboration and business generation.