Senior Legal Counsel

About the Role

Fragomen is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join its Riyadh office in Saudi Arabia. This full-time position involves providing legal counsel and assistance to the firm's Middle East offices, reporting to the Associate General Counsel for EMEA based in London. The role is central to developing and shaping the legal function within the firm's global operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Negotiate and draft long-term contracts with major corporate customers, often following detailed RFP processes, in collaboration with partners and senior managers.
• Negotiate significant supply-side contracts, including agreements with suppliers, co-counsel, and office leases.
• Provide strategic guidance on regulatory compliance, working with OGC colleagues to ensure best practices across the organization.
• Assist in determining the permissibility of certain work in relation to sanctions.
• Support the onboarding of new clients and deliver training to staff on "Know Your Client" procedures.
• Manage key corporate governance functions.
• Work on ad hoc projects, including new office openings.
• Assist with client-related surveys and questionnaires concerning the firm's legal and compliance initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified lawyer with 5-10 years of experience.
• Background in contract negotiation and drafting.
• Experience in managing projects and delivering training.
• Experience operating within an international legal environment, supporting global clients with cross-border legal issues.
• Experience in corporate, commercial contract, and money laundering laws.
• Prior experience at a large or mid-sized law firm, preferably with a substantial global practice, augmented by in-house experience.

Required Skills and Attributes

• Ability to address strategic issues and tactical operational details effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship management, and communication skills.
• Understanding of cultural differences and diverse ways of working.
• Professional credibility and self-confidence.
• Demonstrated team player mentality.
• Strong professional pride, work ethic, and a proactive, flexible approach.
• Exemplary personal and professional integrity, business ethics, and commitment to diversity and respect for others.
• Superior writing and oral communication skills, with the ability to adapt style and format to the audience while maintaining substance.

The Team and Work Environment

The EMEA Office of General Counsel supports Fragomen's core business, handling a range of transactional, company secretarial, and advisory legal work across the region. This includes commercial contracts, employment, property, tenders, professional regulation, compliance, sanctions, litigation, and data privacy. The Senior Legal Counsel will collaborate with OGC and non-OGC colleagues globally, as well as with local advisors supporting Fragomen in various locations.

Application Process

Upon application submission, the Talent Acquisition team will review skills and experience. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial phone call, followed by an interview process consisting of at least two stages, one of which will be in-person. A written assessment may also be required. Fragomen is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace; accommodations for the interview process can be requested.