Legal Counsel

Role Overview

The Legal Counsel serves as a senior legal executive overseeing all legal affairs impacting the company's operations. Responsibilities cover providing corporate legal guidance, managing contracts, ensuring regulatory compliance, overseeing risk and governance, and advising the senior leadership and Board. The role prioritizes compliance with laws in Saudi Arabia and internationally, with an emphasis on sectors such as sports, venues, and entertainment.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the chief legal advisor to the CEO, executive leadership, and Board on legal and regulatory issues.
• Support company formation including regulatory submissions and official registrations.
• Advise on governance structures, Board protocols, and joint venture commitments.
• Develop and oversee Delegation of Authority frameworks and monitor reserved corporate matters.
• Manage legal company structures to ensure adherence to Saudi corporate legislation.
• Draft, examine, negotiate, and oversee a broad range of commercial agreements including venue operations, maintenance, services, event hosting, licensing, and supplier contracts.
• Create and update contract templates, playbooks, trackers, and maintain contract repositories.
• Lead legal aspects of partnerships, joint ventures, and shareholder agreements.
• Provide legal counsel on technology, intellectual property, and data protection issues relevant to operations.
• Oversee legal matters regarding Shared Services Agreements for functions like HR, Finance, and Procurement.
• Ensure company-wide compliance with Saudi laws on labor, commerce, data protection, and relevant industry regulations.
• Keep abreast of legislative changes and advise on necessary business adjustments.
• Coordinate with regulatory bodies, government agencies, and external law firms as needed.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks across all business areas.
• Manage dispute resolution, claims, and litigation, collaborating with outside counsel when necessary.
• Supervise insurance and risk mitigation initiatives from a legal standpoint.
• Advise on employment contracts, HR policies, labor law adherence, and disciplinary procedures.
• Support HR on Saudization initiatives (Nitaqat) and workforce planning regarding legal compliance.
• Design and implement governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) frameworks, policies, and procedures.
• Lead organizational programs on anti-corruption, ethics, and compliance.
• Enhance governance capabilities throughout the company.
• Develop the organization’s legal expertise, incorporating external legal resources effectively.
• Build scalable legal processes and governance structures to support business expansion.
• Utilize AI and technological tools to improve efficiency in legal service delivery.
• Contribute to broader company goals as a member of a lean executive team, dedicating approximately 10-20% of time to non-legal functions as needed based on priorities.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Strong preference for Saudi nationals.
• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from an accredited university; advanced degrees such as an LLM or equivalent are advantageous.
• Preferred licensure to practice law within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• At least 10 years of legal experience, including a minimum of 5 years serving as a senior in-house counsel.
• Demonstrated background in sectors like sports, entertainment, venues, facilities management, or real estate.
• In-depth knowledge of Saudi commercial, corporate, and labor laws.
• Experience navigating joint venture and multi-stakeholder corporate frameworks.
• Proven ability to counsel Boards and senior executives.