Senior Legal Counsel - Consumer and Private Banking (UAEN)

  • Full-time
  • Sub Division: Group Legal
  • Division: Group Risk Management

Company Description

Now it’s your time to join the #1 bank in the Middle East and one of the most prestigious financial companies in the region. Shaking up the world of banking requires a lot of smarts and skill. We’re looking for the brightest and best to help us reach our goals and we’ll also help you reach yours. Your success is our success as you grow stronger in your career. Join us and leave a legacy of your own, as a pioneer in both the company and the industry.

Job Description

The role assists the Head of Legal – Consumer and Private Banking manage legal risk in all the geographies where the FAB Group operates in relation to Consumer and Private Banking activities in accordance with FAB Group legal policies and procedures. The role holder should be able to work autonomously, but should seek the Head of Legal – Consumer and Private Banking’s input on unusual situations, complex matters, and issues which may pose significant legal, financial and/or reputational risk to the FAB Group.

Core Responsibilities

Legal Advisory

  •   Provides legal advice and support to the business while keeping in mind the FAB Group’s strategic and business objectives.   
  •   Provides direction and guidance to facilitate the FAB Group’s compliance with all applicable international and domestic laws, rules and regulations.
  •  Collaborates with the Head of Legal – Consumer and Private Banking to establish, disseminate and implement the FAB Group’s legal policies.  
  •  Completes legal tasks and projects in a timely manner and responds to legal queries assigned by the Head of Legal – Consumer and Private Banking.
  • Supports FAB’s subsidiaries and international branches by providing general legal oversight on legal risks associated with Consumer and Private Banking products and services.                     

Litigation                    

  • Supervises and is responsible for the adequate management of litigation or disputes between the business and its customers in the UAE and abroad.
  • Represents FAB and its subsidiaries before the notary public, court experts, courts, and the police to resolve matters in the best interest of the FAB Group.
  •  Reports relevant litigation matters to the Group General Counsel and Head of Legal – Consumer and Private Banking and provides updates to the relevant stakeholders.

Legal Documentation and Review

  •  Drafts, reviews and negotiates contracts and other legal documents in order to maximise the FAB Group’s legal protections whilst simultaneously minimising legal risks.
  • Produces and regularly updates standardised legal agreements, contracts and standard terms and conditions for the FAB Group in compliance with international best practices and applicable legal requirements.
  •  Assists the business in launching new products and conducts legal and regulatory due diligence on such products, including identifying risks and mitigants in all applicable geographies.

Knowledge of External Environment

  • Stays abreast of new laws and regulations through continuous legal education, attending professional conferences, and participating in professional associations.
  • Provides updates to the FAB Group’s senior business persons on new legislation and regulatory developments that may have an impact on the FAB Group and advises on how to comply with such new legislation and regulations.

Knowledge Sharing

  •  Works closely and develops a positive professional relationship with the other members of the legal function and shares legal knowledge and best practices with legal colleagues, including providing formal and informal training sessions at the direction of the Group General Counsel and Head of Legal – Consumer and Private Banking.

Stakeholder Management

  •  Liaises with external law firms and relevant authorities (such as courts) to ensure the effective resolution of all legal matters affecting the FAB Group.

Learning and Development

  • Functions as a subject matter expert and provides input on learning and development initiatives including training content to ensure value addition and relevance.

Reporting

  • Ensures that all requisite reports are prepared in a timely and accurate manner, and meet the FAB Group’s requirements, policies, and standards.

People Management Responsibilities

  •  Defines goals and key performance indicators for direct reports and ensures effective implementation of the FAB performance management process.
  • Develops talent within the team by providing guidance and coaching to achieve defined goals

Specific Accountability

  • Assists the Head of Legal – Consumer and Private Banking with advising FAB’s UAE branches, reviewing and negotiating UAE government contracts, advising the National Housing Loans business, handling potential disputes and customer complaints in the UAE and abroad, and generally addressing ad hoc
  •  banking queries arising under UAE law and regulations (e.g. inheritance matters, powers of attorney, court orders, cheque clearance, and so forth).
  •  Provides training to stakeholders on new developments in UAE law and regulations as they arise.
  • Works with stakeholders on digitisation initiatives.
  • Makes recommendations for improvements to policies and processes and streamlining the same to bring about efficiency and improve turn-around time.
  • Where required, assists the Head of Legal – Consumer and Private Banking and the business with developing and rolling out new consumer banking and wealth management products and services.
  • Where required, drafts, reviews and/or negotiates consumer banking product documentation and wealth related documents.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification

  • Bachelor’s degree in law from an internationally recognised university
  • Master’s degree in law is preferred
  • Qualified as a lawyer in the UAE
  •  UAE National
  • Excellent ability to read, write and communicate in both Arabic and English

Minimum Experience

  •  Minimum of 8 years’ experience in a reputed bank or law firm
  • Familiarity with banking products and services
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