Senior Legal Specialist

Job overview

The Senior Legal Specialist will handle the department’s day-to-day legal work, including drafting and reviewing contracts and agreements, providing legal opinions, monitoring cases and disputes, preparing policies and regulations, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and rules. The role supports the protection of the university’s interests and contributes to the achievement of the Legal Affairs Department’s objectives.

Department details

Department: Legal Affairs Department
Direct manager: Director of the Legal Affairs Department

Key responsibilities

• Strengthen the internal legal function by developing policies, regulations, and work procedures.
• Draft, prepare, and review contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other legal documents, ensuring alignment with approved laws and policies.
• Examine legal matters received from different departments and prepare legal opinions and consultations for submission to the Director of Legal Affairs.
• Review internal legal regulations, policies, and procedures and recommend updates needed to keep them consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
• Track the implementation of laws and instructions issued by relevant regulatory bodies and prepare summaries of legislative updates and their implications.
• Follow up on legal cases and claims involving the university and prepare legal memoranda and responses in coordination with the Director of Legal Affairs.
• Coordinate with external lawyers and legal consultants on assigned cases or legal consultations when required.
• Prepare legal replies to correspondence and inquiries from government, regulatory, and judicial authorities.
• Review administrative decisions with legal impact to ensure they are legally sound.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of the university’s policies and regulatory frameworks.
• Prepare legal studies related to legal risks and propose preventive measures and practical solutions.
• Participate in governance, compliance, and risk management activities from a legal perspective.
• Prepare periodic reports covering contracts, cases, and legal consultations.
• Provide technical oversight to legal specialists and offer guidance and support to them.
• Review legal work completed by team members before it is submitted to the Director of Legal Affairs.
• Help promote legal awareness across the university by preparing guidance materials and contributing to workshops.
• Maintain and organize files for contracts, cases, and legal correspondence in line with approved procedures.
• Represent the Legal Affairs Department in meetings and committees when assigned.
• Carry out any other related duties assigned by the Director of Legal Affairs.

Education and experience

A bachelor’s degree in law is required. A master’s degree in law or a related field is preferred. Candidates should bring at least 8 to 10 years of experience in the legal field.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of Saudi laws and related executive regulations
• Understanding of higher education regulations, governance, compliance, and risk management
• Advanced contract and agreement drafting skills
• Ability to prepare legal memoranda, opinions, and consultations
• Experience handling cases, negotiation, and dispute resolution
• Strong legal analysis and reporting capability
• Ability to review policies, regulations, and internal procedures
• Technical supervision and team guidance skills
• Effective communication, presentation, and persuasion skills
• Computer literacy and use of electronic systems for contract and case management
• Ability to work under pressure and manage priorities
• Working knowledge of English, spoken and written, suitable for the role

Additional information

This role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and is a full-time, on-site position.