Legal Senior Advisor

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Legal Senior Advisor to join our dynamic legal team. In this pivotal role, you will lead and oversee complex legal activities, providing strategic guidance and expert advice to ensure compliance with evolving tax and regulatory frameworks. The ideal candidate will demonstrate autonomy, analytical prowess, and the ability to deliver high-impact legal studies and opinions to internal committees and stakeholders. This position requires a deep understanding of tax laws, including withholding taxes, value-added taxes, real estate transaction taxes, and zakat regulations, as well as exceptional research, writing, and advisory capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

The Legal Senior Advisor will play a critical role in shaping the organization’s legal strategies and ensuring adherence to statutory requirements. Your core responsibilities will include:

• Legal Research and Advisory: Conduct comprehensive legal research to stay abreast of all tax, zakat, and regulatory laws, providing timely and accurate legal opinions to internal committees and stakeholders. This includes analyzing double taxation agreements, tax exemptions, exclusions, and statutory limitations on assessments.
• Case File Preparation and Review: Lead the preparation of intricate case files by gathering required documents and data from relevant stakeholders within specified deadlines. Ensure the accuracy and completeness of data entries to facilitate thorough reviews and minimize errors. Correct discrepancies promptly based on verified information.
• Tax-Specific Legal Studies: Deliver detailed legal studies on a range of tax-related matters, including:
  • Withholding taxes, including exemptions and double taxation agreements;
  • Value-added taxes, including disputes between individuals;
  • Selected goods taxes and associated fines;
  • Real estate transaction taxes and related penalties;
  • Statutes of limitations on assessments for all zakat and tax issues.
• Appeals and Legal Consultation: Analyze legal clauses raised by appellants or respondents, providing objective and timely legal studies to support Appeals Committees. Perform specialized legal studies for appeals and submit comprehensive reports to management.
• Reporting and Documentation: Develop accurate and timely periodic and customized reports for the section, ensuring all data is documented and updated in the relevant database. Present findings, issues, and recommendations to management, fostering continuous improvement and proactive resolution of legal challenges.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Act as an internal consultant and facilitator, collaborating with technical and accounting teams to address legal queries and provide guidance on complex tax matters. Serve as a liaison between departments to ensure seamless communication and alignment with legal and regulatory standards.

Qualifications and Experience

To excel in this role, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Law or an equivalent qualification is required. A Master’s degree in a related field is highly preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience, with a strong focus on tax law, regulatory compliance, and legal advisory roles.

Core Competencies

The successful candidate will possess a blend of technical expertise and soft skills to thrive in this role. Key competencies include:

• Research and Analysis: Advanced ability to conduct in-depth legal research and synthesize complex information into actionable insights.
• Legal Advisory: Expertise in providing strategic legal advice and opinions tailored to organizational needs.
• Collaboration and Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels, fostering a culture of transparency and teamwork.
• Professionalism: Demonstrated integrity, ethical conduct, and adherence to professional standards in all interactions.
• Legislations and Regulations: Proficient understanding of tax laws, zakat regulations, and other relevant legal frameworks.
• Data Gathering and Assessment: Advanced capability to collect, assess, and interpret data to support legal decision-making.
• Results-Oriented: Commitment to achieving measurable outcomes and driving continuous improvement in legal processes.
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
• Legal Writing and Policy Drafting: Exceptional skills in drafting clear, concise, and legally sound documents, policies, and reports.
• Customer Focus: Dedication to delivering high-quality legal services that meet the needs of internal clients and committees.
• Enablement of Change and Innovation: Willingness to embrace new technologies and methodologies to enhance legal processes and drive innovation.