Senior Corporate Counsel

About the Role

Microsoft is seeking a Senior Corporate Counsel to join the Middle East Legal Affairs team within Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA). This full-time position is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and reports to the Head of Legal Affairs for the Middle East. The role involves advising senior business leaders, strategic customers, and public sector stakeholders on complex Cloud and AI matters, contributing to Microsoft’s legal strategy and growth in Saudi Arabia and potentially other Middle East countries.

Role Context and Scope

This position serves as the lead Legal Affairs lawyer for Saudi Arabia, supporting some of Microsoft’s key markets in the Middle East. The Senior Corporate Counsel will act as a strategic and legal advisor to subsidiary leadership, collaborating with commercial and public sector teams to achieve business priorities and accelerate responsible Cloud and AI transformation. The role requires close collaboration with Microsoft executives, sales and technical teams, legal peers, external partners, customers, regulators, and regional and global CELA teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead Legal Affairs lawyer for Saudi Arabia and potentially other Middle East countries, advising senior business, sales, and subsidiary leaders, and participating in relevant country leadership teams.
• Provide proactive and actionable advice on corporate, commercial, regulatory, and compliance matters, including Saudi regional headquarters and MISA requirements, data protection, AI regulation, data-centre matters, and financial services regulation.
• Advise commercial and public sector teams on complex transactions, new business models, public procurement, government contracting, intellectual property, licensing, competition law, and strategic partnerships.
• Identify and anticipate legal, geopolitical, country, and reputational risks; oversee relevant disputes and regulatory engagements; and advise on partner relationships, antitrust risk, and exclusivity.
• Build trusted relationships with regulators, senior legal officers at public and private sector customers, external legal professionals, and industry associations.
• Coordinate with CELA specialist teams, the Regional Deal Team, finance, HR, compliance, and the national technology organization to ensure clear allocation and consistent execution of responsibilities.
• Manage outside counsel and other service providers to drive cost efficiency and deliver coordinated support to the business.
• Leverage AI to drive innovation across the Middle East Legal Affairs team and contribute to the broader transformation of CELA in EMEA.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Law degree and qualification to practice in a recognized jurisdiction.
• 5-10 years of experience advising on public sector transactions, government contracting, and public procurement matters.
• Outstanding analytical and written communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex issues and provide clear, business-oriented advice.
• Demonstrated ability to develop creative solutions that balance legal risk and business objectives.
• Ability to work efficiently, meet demanding deadlines, prioritize workflow, and adapt to changes in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional fluency in both Arabic and English.
• Demonstrated leadership capability to influence senior stakeholders, shape strategy, and collaborate effectively across functions and cultures.
• High tolerance for ambiguity and change, strong team spirit, sound judgment, and commitment to Microsoft’s standards of integrity and compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience practicing in sophisticated legal environments, with demonstrable experience in technology, corporate and commercial law, and regulatory compliance.
• Saudi regulatory and commercial contracting experience is preferred, as is in-house experience at a multinational company or experience at a leading international law firm.
• Strong knowledge of technology, data protection, AI, cloud, and related regulatory issues. Experience with data centers, financial services regulation, public sector technology matters, or other Middle East markets is preferred.

Work Environment

This position is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and requires in-country presence. Periodic travel to other Middle East locations may be required.