Senior Legal Counsel - Consumer and Private Banking (UAEN)

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 Bankings input on unusual situations, complex matters, and issues which may pose significant legal, financial and/or reputational risk to the FAB Group.Core ResponsibilitiesLegal Advisory

• Provides legal advice and support to the business while keeping in mind the FAB Groups strategic and business objectives.
• Provides direction and guidance to facilitate the FAB Groups 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 Groups 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 FABs 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 Groups 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 Groups 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 Groups 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 FABs 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.

QualificationsMinimum Qualification

• Bachelors degree in law from an internationally recognised university
• Masters 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

Keyskills :

About Company

FAB, the UAE’s largest bank and one of the world’s largest financial institutions offers a an extensive range of tailor-made solutions, and products and services, to provide a customised banking experience. Through its strategic offerings, it looks to meet the banking needs of customers across the world via its market-leading Corporate and Investment Banking and Personal Banking franchises.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, in Khalifa Business Park, the bank’s international network spans over 19 countries, across the world, providing the global relationships, expertise and financial strength to support local, regional and international businesses seeking to do business at home and abroad. In line with its commitment to put customers first, to Grow Stronger, FAB will continually invest in people and technology to create the most customer-friendly banking experience and will support the growth ambitions of its stakeholders across the global network in which the bank operates.