Head of Legal - International Bank

The Head of Legal will lead the legal function for the Corporate and Investment Banking division, providing strategic legal advice across a broad range of banking, financing, and corporate transactions. The role will support business growth while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, internal policies, and governance standards in the UAE and across relevant international jurisdictions.The incumbent will act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, product teams, credit, compliance, operations, and external counsel, with responsibility for managing legal risk in complex transactions and business initiatives.Key ResponsibilitiesLead and manage all legal matters for the Corporate & Investment Banking business.Provide strategic legal advice on corporate lending, structured finance, acquisition finance, project finance, syndications, treasury, trade finance, and investment banking transactions.Review, draft, and negotiate a wide range of legal documentation, including facility agreements, security documents, NDAs, term sheets, mandates, ISDA/derivatives documentation, and transaction support documents.Advise on regulatory, governance, and compliance issues affecting banking operations in the UAE and other relevant jurisdictions.Support the bank’s corporate governance framework, including board matters, approvals, delegations, and policy development.Manage and coordinate with external counsel on complex, high-value, and cross-border matters.Assess legal and contractual risk, propose mitigation strategies, and ensure commercially sound outcomes.Partner with internal stakeholders including business heads, risk, compliance, operations, finance, and product teams.Support new product launches, business initiatives, and strategic transactions from a legal perspective.Monitor legal and regulatory developments and advise the business on implications and required actions.Develop and maintain standard legal templates, playbooks, and precedents.Lead, mentor, and develop junior legal team members, where applicable.Required QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university.Qualified lawyer in a common law or civil law jurisdiction; additional qualifications are an advantage.Minimum 12–15 years of post-qualification legal experience.Strong background in corporate banking, investment banking, or financial services legal work.Experience working in-house within a bank, financial institution, or leading international law firm.Deep understanding of UAE banking regulations, corporate law, and transaction documentation.Strong exposure to cross-border and multi-jurisdictional transactions.Skills and CompetenciesExcellent legal drafting, negotiation, and advisory skills.Strong commercial judgment and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.High level of stakeholder management and executive communication.Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, regulated environment.Strong leadership, team management, and decision-making abilities.Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and prioritization skills.Preferred ExperiencePrior experience in a senior legal leadership role within a corporate or investment bank.Exposure to M&A, capital markets, debt capital markets, structured products, or treasury legal work.Experience dealing with regulators and internal governance committees.Familiarity with DIFC, ADGM, and UAE mainland legal frameworks