Head of Legal

JOB PURPOSE:The Head of Legal is accountable for the overall leadership and strategic direction of the Legal function, providing senior legal counsel to the CEO, Executive Management, and business leaders on matters with significant legal, regulatory, commercial, operational, financial, and reputational implications.The role provides overall oversight of legal advisory, corporate governance, legal risk, commercial contracts, litigation, disputes, claims, investigations, and regulatory matters. The Head of Legal acts as the principal legal advisor, ensuring that legal risks are effectively managed while supporting the organization’s strategic and commercial objectives.The role leads the KSA Legal function and serves as the primary interface with GCC Region and Group Legal, government authorities, regulators, courts, and external legal counsel.KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:1. Legal Leadership & Strategic AdvisoryLead the Legal function and establish its strategic priorities, operating framework, and governance standards.Act as the principal legal advisor to the CEO, Executive Management, and senior leadership on complex and high-impact matters.Provide strategic legal advice on major business initiatives, projects, transactions, investments, and operational decisions.Assess legal, regulatory, financial, operational, and reputational implications of significant decisions and provide commercially balanced recommendations.Determine appropriate escalation of significant legal matters to GCC Region or Group Legal.2. Legal Risk, Compliance & GovernanceOwn the legal risk framework and ensure significant legal exposures are identified, assessed, mitigated, monitored, and escalated.Monitor changes in Saudi laws, regulations, and regulatory requirements and advise management on their business impact.Oversee compliance with applicable corporate, commercial, labor, licensing, regulatory, data protection, privacy, and other relevant legal requirements.Provide legal oversight on corporate governance matters, including corporate structures, shareholder matters, regulatory filings, and corporate records.Establish and maintain appropriate legal policies, procedures, controls, and governance standards.Lead or oversee significant legal investigations involving potential breaches of law, regulation, contracts, policies, fraud, misconduct, or other organizational risks.3. Commercial Contracts & Strategic TransactionsLead the legal oversight of significant and high-value commercial, operational, and strategic agreements.Oversee the drafting, review, negotiation, and execution of complex contracts and provide direction on material contractual risks and protections.Support major tenders, strategic projects, partnerships, investments, and other significant business transactions.Ensure material agreements comply with applicable laws and governance requirements.Oversee significant contractual disputes and protect contractual rights and interests.4. Litigation, Claims & Dispute ResolutionOwn the legal strategy for significant litigation, arbitration, claims, disputes, and regulatory proceedings involving KSA.Assess the legal, financial, operational, and reputational impact of significant disputes and advise senior management on appropriate actions.Oversee material claims arising from port, terminal, shipping, logistics, property, environmental, operational, and contractual matters.Manage external legal counsel engaged for litigation, arbitration, specialist advisory, and other complex legal matters.Lead or oversee significant settlement and dispute resolution negotiations.5. Regulatory & Government AffairsLead significant legal engagement with government authorities, regulators, courts, and other official bodies.Oversee the company’s response to significant regulatory inquiries, investigations, notices, and proceedings.Ensure material regulatory matters are appropriately assessed, managed, documented, and escalated.Maintain effective professional relationships with relevant authorities and regulatory stakeholders.6. Regional Legal InterfaceAct as the primary KSA interface with GCC Region and Group Legal on significant, complex, or cross-border matters.Ensure KSA legal practices and positions are aligned with the global legal framework and requirements.Coordinate matters involving multiple jurisdictions, business units, or entities.Escalate material legal, regulatory, litigation, contractual, or reputational risks through the appropriate governance channels.7. Legal Team LeadershipLead and manage the KSA Legal team, establishing clear objectives, priorities, and performance expectations.Allocate legal matters based on complexity, risk, expertise, and business priorities.Develop the technical, commercial, and business capabilities of the Legal team.Coach and develop legal professionals and establish appropriate succession and knowledge-transfer plans.Maintain a proactive, business-oriented legal service model while ensuring appropriate legal governance and professional standards.8. Reporting & Management SupportProvide regular and ad hoc reports to the CEO and Executive Management on significant legal matters, legal risks, litigation, claims, contracts, investigations, and regulatory developments.Maintain senior management visibility of material legal exposures and emerging risks.Provide clear, risk-based recommendations to support executive decision-making.Participate in senior management committees, governance forums, and strategic discussions where legal input is required.Perform other legal and business responsibilities assigned by the CEO – KSA.QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:QualificationsBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law.Valid Saudi legal professional qualification or license to practice, where applicable.Relevant professional certifications in governance, compliance, investigations, or fraud examination are preferred.Experience12+ years of progressive legal experience, with strong exposure to legal matters within Ports & Terminals, Logistics, maritime, infrastructure and other regulated business environments.Strong knowledge of Saudi laws and regulations applicable to Ports & Terminals (P&T), Logistics, maritime, commercial, corporate, labor and regulatory activities.Proven experience in a senior legal leadership or legal management role within a multinational, regulated, or complex corporate environment.Significant experience in commercial contracts, corporate governance, litigation, dispute resolution, regulatory matters, investigations, and legal risk management.Proven experience advising CEOs, Executive Management, or senior business leaders on complex legal matters.Experience managing legal teams and external legal counsel.Strong experience dealing with Saudi government authorities, regulators, and courts.Experience in port, terminal, shipping, logistics, maritime, infrastructure, or similarly complex industries is strongly preferred.Skills / CompetenciesStrong strategic legal judgment and commercial acumen.Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment skills.Strong knowledge of Saudi commercial, corporate, labor, regulatory, and other relevant laws.Advanced contract negotiation and legal risk management skills.Strong litigation, dispute resolution, and external counsel management capabilities.Excellent executive communication, influencing, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.Strong leadership and people management capability.High level of integrity, discretion, confidentiality, and professional judgment.Ability to balance legal risk with commercial and operational requirements.Language ProficiencyFluent Arabic, with the ability to engage effectively with Saudi courts, government authorities, and regulators.Fluent professional English, with the ability to provide legal advice, negotiate complex agreements, prepare legal documentation, and communicate with regional and global stakeholders.