Senior Corporate Legal Counsel – Banking & Free Zone Compliance

About the role

We are looking for a dynamic, results‑driven Senior Corporate Legal Counsel to lead our corporate legal matters, banking compliance and free‑zone/company requirements in Dubai. The role involves advising senior management, ensuring regulatory compliance and managing complex corporate structures across the UAE.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate and manage commercial contracts, shareholder agreements, vendor agreements, NDAs and other legal documents.
• Provide strategic legal advice on operational risks, corporate governance, regulatory requirements and statutory obligations.
• Maintain corporate records, board minutes, resolutions and statutory documents in line with UAE Federal Decree‑Laws and Free Zone regulations.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and advise management on potential business impact.
• Manage banking compliance, KYC/AML requirements, account openings, amendments and liaison with UAE and international banks.
• Ensure adherence to Central Bank guidelines, Economic Substance Regulations, UBO requirements and related filings.
• Oversee end‑to‑end corporate requirements for Mainland and Free Zone entities, including formation, licensing, renewals, restructuring and deregistration.
• Handle visa renewals, trade licence submissions and coordination with government portals and authorities.

Required profile

• Minimum 5 years of corporate legal experience in the UAE/Dubai market.
• Strong knowledge of UAE corporate laws, Federal Decree‑Laws and Free Zone regulations.
• Hands‑on experience dealing with UAE banks, KYC/AML processes and government authorities.
• Ability to independently manage complex local and cross‑border corporate structures.
• Fluent in English with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Required skills

• Expertise in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Understanding of Central Bank guidelines, Economic Substance Regulations and UBO requirements.
• Proficiency in corporate governance, regulatory compliance and statutory filing.
• Experience with Free Zone and Mainland company formation and licensing processes.