Are you an experienced legal professional seeking responsibility, ownership and exposure
Our client, a prominent firm based in DIFC Dubai, is seeking an experienced Head of Legal & Compliance to oversee and manage the legal function. This role is critical for ensuring compliance, supporting fund structuring, and guiding corporate governance within a dynamic financial environment.
The core focus will be on the structuring, formation, and ongoing compliance of various investment funds (hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, and digital assets), ensuring strict adherence to DIFC and Cayman Islands laws and regulations. This role requires providing expert, commercially focused legal advice to the firm's management, institutional investors, and HNWIs.
Key responsibilities:
- Oversee and manage the legal function for the firm, ensuring that all legal activities support business objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Provide comprehensive legal and regulatory advice to the firm, its HNWIs, and family office clients on a wide array of financial matters, investment strategies, and corporate governance
- Lead the legal structuring, formation, and launch of new investment funds domiciled in jurisdictions including the Cayman Islands, DIFC, Malta, and Luxembourg
- Provide comprehensive legal and regulatory advice to the firm, its HNWIs, and family office clients on a wide array of financial matters, investment strategies, and corporate governance
- Lead corporate structuring initiatives and oversee legal aspects of critical contracts, business transactions, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures.
- Oversee the fund management platform, including fund structuring and managing governing documents for funds.
- Select, retain, and manage outside counsel, optimizing legal spend and ensuring high-quality legal support.
- Act as legal adviser to the group and its portfolio companies, advising governing bodies and ensuring alignment with corporate goals.
- Oversee corporate secretarial functions and support compliance with corporate governance structures and regulatory filings.
- Oversee legal due diligence processes for transactions, M&A activities, and capital raising initiatives, including those involving digital assets and Shariah-compliant structures
- Develop and implement corporate policies, procedures, and programs to support ongoing growth and manage legal implications across the firm.
- Lead, manage and team development within the legal and compliance remit
Requirements
- Qualified lawyer with admission in a major Commonwealth jurisdiction (e.g., UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada).
- Experience within an inhouse law firm with investment/asset management expertise, or in-house legal counsels or Legal Managers currently working for asset management firms, boutique investment firms, or major financial institutions with relevant structuring and governance experience
- Experience in lead the legal structuring, formation, and launch of new investment funds domiciled in jurisdictions including the Cayman Islands and/or DIFC - MANDATORY
- Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment and manage complex, cross-border transactions
- Strong background in corporate structuring, fund structuring, and corporate governance.
- Demonstrated ability to work with outside counsel effectively, managing legal spend and ensuring optimal support.
- Excellent communication and advisory skills, with a proactive and strategic approach to legal challenges.
- Strong understanding of corporate secretarial functions and governance procedures.
- Candidates based in the UAE, or within the GCC will be prioritised
What's in it for you
- A competitive salary in the range of 55000 - 65,000 AED per month, plus bonus and medical benefits. Final salary will be benchmarked by the client on several factors.
