Legal Counsel - Capital Markets

About the role

Standard Chartered is hiring a Legal Counsel for its Capital Markets (CM) Legal team in Dubai. The role provides expert legal advice on capital markets products and initiatives, advises on complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, maintains compliance standards and embeds the bank's culture of integrity. It involves close work with senior stakeholders such as Regional General Counsels and CM Business Heads.

Key responsibilities

• Provide proactive legal counsel on capital markets products and initiatives, aligned with regulatory and internal standards.
• Lead complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions by coordinating regional and country legal teams, internal stakeholders and external counsel.
• Develop, enhance and standardise legal documentation and templates for CM products.
• Collaborate with Product teams to structure innovative CM products and advise on parameters and compliance frameworks.
• Monitor regulatory changes, assess their impact on the CM business and incorporate legal perspectives into business decisions.
• Train and communicate with CM teams on legal documentation and regulatory requirements.
• Identify legal risks early and advise on mitigation strategies; oversee external counsel engagements, scope, quality, costs and matter management.
• Maintain liaison with country legal and compliance teams.

Required profile

• Fully qualified solicitor, attorney, barrister or advocate authorised to practice law.
• Post-qualification experience in debt capital markets, ideally private practice and in-house counsel roles.
• Proven track record in banking or financial services, with sustained engagement with regulatory frameworks.
• Deep understanding of risk management, compliance obligations, reputational risk and regulatory relationship management.
• Ability to influence senior business leaders and stakeholders across regions.

Required skills

• Hands-on experience with capital markets legal frameworks, especially debt capital markets products and transactions.
• Risk and regulatory risk management, governance and mitigation.
• Analytical ability, business acumen and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

What we offer

• Competitive salary and benefits under the Fair Pay Charter.
• Core bank funding for retirement savings, medical and life insurance, with flexible and voluntary benefits in some locations.
• Annual leave, parental/maternity leave (20 weeks), sabbatical (up to 12 months) and volunteering leave (3 days).
• Flexible working options and patterns.
• Wellbeing support through Unmind, an Employee Assistance Programme and sick leave.
• Continuous learning and reskilling opportunities.