Head of Legal & Compliance – Senior Counsel (DIFC)

About the role

Our client, a prominent firm operating from the DIFC in Dubai, is looking for an experienced Head of Legal & Compliance. The role offers ownership of the legal function, exposure to high‑value fund structuring, and the chance to shape corporate governance in a fast‑moving financial environment.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the legal department, aligning legal activities with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Provide commercial‑focused legal advice on financial matters, investment strategies, and corporate governance to the firm, its HNWIs and family‑office clients.
• Structure, form and launch investment funds across jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands, DIFC, Malta and Luxembourg.
• Oversee corporate structuring, critical contracts, M&A, acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures.
• Manage the fund management platform, governing documents and corporate secretarial functions.
• Select, retain and supervise outside counsel, optimizing legal spend.
• Advise the group and portfolio companies, ensuring alignment with corporate goals.
• Direct legal due diligence for transactions, capital raising and digital‑asset initiatives, including Shariah‑compliant structures.

Required profile

• Minimum 5 years of experience in legal and compliance roles within financial services.
• Proven track record in fund structuring, cross‑border transactions and corporate governance.
• Strong understanding of DIFC and Cayman Islands regulatory frameworks.
• Experience managing external counsel and overseeing corporate secretarial duties.

Required skills

• Legal due diligence
• Legal structuring
• Corporate secretarial functions
• Cross‑border transactions
• Corporate governance
• Fund structuring
• Shariah‑compliant structures
• Investment funds