About the Role
This is a senior leadership position responsible for providing strategic legal guidance as the lead legal advisor across the company's Islamic Banking franchise. The successful candidate will combine deep Islamic finance expertise with a strong background in banking and finance law to ensure that Shariah-compliant structures are legally enforceable, commercially viable, and aligned with UAE regulatory requirements. This role offers the opportunity to work on complex, high-value transactions, influence product innovation, and collaborate with senior stakeholders, regulators, Shariah governance bodies, and international business teams.
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Key Responsibilities
- Act as the principal legal advisor and single point of accountability for Islamic Banking legal matters across all business divisions.
- Structure, review, negotiate, and advise on complex Shariah-compliant financing transactions, including Murabaha, Tawarruq, Ijarah, Wakala, Mudaraba, Musharaka, Istisna’a, Salam, and Sukuk structures.
- Draft and negotiate Islamic financing documentation, including Islamic adaptations of LMA-based facility agreements and associated security packages.
- Advise on legal enforceability, security perfection, and regulatory implications of Islamic banking structures under UAE and international law.
- Provide legal support for Islamic treasury and capital markets products, including Sukuk issuances, Islamic hedging transactions, profit rate swaps, and Tahawwut Master Agreements.
- Partner with business stakeholders to develop innovative, commercially sound, and legally robust Islamic banking products and solutions. Liaise independently with Shariah Governance functions and Internal Shariah Supervision Committees to translate Shariah requirements into legally effective documentation.
- Lead legal projects and strategic initiatives, including digital transformation, AI-driven solutions, and new Islamic banking product development.
- Manage and oversee external legal counsel, ensuring high-quality advice, effective cost management, and alignment with business objectives.
- Mentor and develop junior legal professionals while enhancing Islamic legal templates, precedents, policies, and best-practice standards across the company.
Experience & Qualifications Required
- Qualified lawyer with a Law degree from a reputable university and admission to practice in a recognized jurisdiction.
- Minimum 10–12 years post-qualification experience in banking and finance law.
- At least 8–10 years of specialized Islamic finance experience, gained within a leading international law firm, financial institution, or both.
- Strong and current experience supporting UAE-based Islamic banking transactions and financial products.
- Deep expertise across Islamic financing structures including Murabaha, Tawarruq, Ijarah, Wakala, Mudaraba, Musharaka, Istisna’a, Salam, and Sukuk.
- Comprehensive understanding of UAE banking regulations, Islamic banking legislation, Central Bank requirements, and AAOIFI standards.
- Proven experience drafting and negotiating LMA-based financing documentation and Islamic finance master agreements.
- Expertise in treasury, financial markets, capital markets, and Islamic hedging documentation, including IIFM/ISDA Tahawwut Master Agreements.
- Demonstrated track record advising on complex, high-value, cross-border financing and security arrangements across multiple jurisdictions.
- Exceptional stakeholder management, negotiation, leadership, and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior executives, regulators, Shariah authorities, and external counsel.
