Legal and Compliance Director

Job Summary:

The Director of Legal and Compliance serves as the primary legal and ethical advisor for the organization, ensuring that all company operations adhere to legal standards and ethical principles. This position entails overseeing legal matters, advocating for compliance and integrity, and nurturing an ethical culture to align with business objectives and enhance the organization’s reputation.

Prior Experience:

Candidates must have at least 15 years of corporate legal experience, particularly in corporate ethics and compliance. This experience should include leadership positions within corporate legal departments, showcasing a strong understanding of legal frameworks, ethical standards, and compliance mechanisms in a corporate environment. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of experience as a Legal Director, General Counsel, or a similar role in Saudi Arabia, preferably with publicly listed companies or large construction firms.

Key Responsibilities:

Oversee the Legal and Ethics Department

• Establish and oversee the Legal and Ethics Department, setting highest ethical standards and practices.
• Structure the department to effectively meet organizational needs.
• Promote integrity and equip the team to address legal and ethical challenges.

Corporate Housekeeping

• Manage the safekeeping, organization, and accessibility of all legal, regulatory, and governance documents.
• Keep records current to support legal and compliance activities.

General Counsel and Advisory

• Act as the primary legal advisor for a wide range of organizational issues such as litigation, legal research and opinions, contract review, investigations, corporate governance, employment matters and acquisitions.
• Provide expert legal advice to management and other stakeholders.
• Offer expert opinions to ensure compliance and safeguard interests.
• Write and review legal briefs and documents.
• Identify and strategize to mitigate legal risks.
• Contribute legal perspectives in executive decision-making.

Litigations and regulatory investigations

• Lead all legal actions and litigations.
• Act as the main contact for compliance and regulatory investigations.
• Maintain relationships with regulatory bodies and stay up to date with all regulatory developments and trends.

Compliance and ethics

• Develop, review, and implement ethics and compliance guidelines.
• Develop, review, and implement internal governance policies.
• Implement ongoing compliance training programs for employees to foster an understanding of governance and ethical standards.
• Oversee compliance with Capital Markets Authority rules and regulations.
• Serve as point of contact for ethics and compliance matters.
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

Academic Qualifications and Relevant Experience

Qualification Level

A Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent legal qualification (Bachelor / Master of Law) is required.

Field of Study

• Law (e.g., Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Laws)
• Ethics or Philosophy (with a focus on ethical theory and application)
• Business Administration (with a focus on legal studies, corporate governance, or compliance)
• Criminal Justice or Criminology (fraud prevention and ethical conduct)

Professional Certifications

• Preference for candidates holding additional certifications in ethics or compliance (e.g., CCEP, CFE, CCO).

Nature of Experience:

• Previous roles focused on compliance, ethics, or both, demonstrating a track record of successfully navigating ethical dilemmas and compliance challenges within a corporate setting.
• Direct experience with Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) corporate governance regulations, showcasing familiarity with local legal requirements and the ability to ensure the organization's adherence to these standards.
• A combination of international and local (Saudi-specific) legal experience to navigate the complexities of global business practices alongside Saudi regulations.
• Experience working across different departments to embed legal and ethical practices in all business processes.
• Proven ability in leading legal strategy, managing legal risks, and providing guidance on corporate governance matters.

Skills:

• Profound knowledge of corporate law, regulatory compliance, contracts, and intellectual property.
• Ability to navigate complex ethical dilemmas and promote a culture of integrity.
• Skill in leading and managing teams, setting vision, and driving ethical and legal initiatives across the organization.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate legal risks and ethical issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective stakeholder engagement, training, and reporting.
• Expertise in negotiation, capable of effectively managing disputes and facilitating agreements.
• Ability to adapt to changing legal and ethical landscapes, and to respond proactively to new challenges.
• Innovative problem-solving skills to address legal and ethical issues creatively and effectively.

Language Skills

• Fluency in both English and Arabic is crucial for this role. Strong verbal and written communication skills in English are necessary for international business interactions, while proficiency in Arabic is required to effectively manage local legal requirements and corporate governance regulations.