Legal Counsel

Role Overview

As a senior executive within the organization, the Legal Counsel plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the company’s legal and operational integrity. This position is responsible for providing strategic legal guidance to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board of Directors, ensuring that all business activities align with applicable laws and regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond. With a strong focus on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management, the Legal Counsel will act as a trusted advisor, mitigating legal exposure while fostering sustainable business growth. Candidates with experience in the sports, venues, or entertainment sectors are particularly encouraged to apply, as this expertise will be highly valued in supporting the company’s unique operational landscape.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisory & Corporate Governance

• Act as the primary legal advisor to the CEO, executive leadership, and Board of Directors on all legal and regulatory matters, ensuring informed decision-making and strategic alignment.
• Oversee the incorporation and establishment of the company as a legal entity, including all regulatory filings, government registrations, and compliance with Saudi corporate law.
• Develop and implement robust corporate governance frameworks, Board procedures, and joint venture obligations to uphold transparency and accountability.
• Establish and maintain the Delegation of Authority (DOA) framework, monitoring reserved matters to ensure proper oversight and compliance.
• Manage the company’s legal structure, ensuring adherence to Saudi corporate governance standards and best practices.

Contracts & Commercial Legal Support

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a wide range of commercial contracts, including venue operation agreements, maintenance contracts, service-level agreements, event hosting agreements, licensing arrangements, and supplier contracts.
• Develop and maintain standardized contract templates and playbooks to streamline legal processes and ensure consistency.
• Create and maintain contract trackers and a centralized contract repository to enhance visibility and control over contractual obligations.
• Lead the legal aspects of partnerships, joint ventures, and shareholder arrangements, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Provide expert legal advice on technology, intellectual property, and data protection matters to safeguard the company’s assets and operations.
• Manage the legal aspects of Shared Services Agreements, ensuring compliance and efficiency in back-office functional support (HR, Finance, Procurement, etc.).

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with Saudi laws and regulations, including labor law, commercial law, data protection, and sector-specific requirements, to mitigate legal and financial risks.
• Monitor legislative changes and proactively advise the business on implications, required actions, and strategic adjustments to maintain compliance.
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory authorities, government bodies, and external legal counsel to facilitate seamless interactions and resolve compliance-related queries.

Risk Management & Dispute Resolution

• Identify, assess, and manage legal risks across all areas of the business to protect the company’s interests and reputation.
• Lead the resolution of disputes, claims, and litigation matters, collaborating with external legal counsel to achieve favorable outcomes.
• Oversee insurance arrangements and risk mitigation strategies from a legal perspective to minimize exposure and ensure business continuity.

HR & Employment Law

• Provide strategic legal advice on employment contracts, HR policies, labor law compliance, and disciplinary matters to ensure fair and legally sound workforce management.
• Support the HR function in navigating Saudization (Nitaqat) requirements and workforce planning, ensuring alignment with national labor regulations.

Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive GRC framework, policies, and procedures to embed a culture of compliance and ethical conduct across the organization.
• Lead anti-corruption, ethics, and compliance programs, fostering a culture of integrity and accountability at all levels.
• Build governance capability across the organization to enhance operational resilience and stakeholder trust.

Leadership & Innovation

• Develop and mentor the legal team, leveraging external legal advisors to enhance the organization’s legal capabilities and strategic impact.
• Establish scalable legal processes and governance structures to support the company’s growth trajectory and evolving business needs.
• Champion the adoption of AI and other innovative technologies to drive efficiencies in legal operations and improve service delivery.

Wider Business Contribution

• As a key member of a lean and dynamic executive team, contribute to broader company priorities beyond the Legal Counsel’s core responsibilities, as needed.
• Allocate approximately 10-20% of the role to cross-functional business initiatives, depending on the company’s evolving priorities and developmental stage.

Qualifications & Experience

To excel in this role, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) from an accredited institution, with a strong preference for Saudi nationals. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in corporate law, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, and governance, with a proven track record of advising senior leadership on complex legal matters. Experience in the sports, venues, or entertainment sector is highly advantageous, as is familiarity with Saudi labor laws, data protection regulations, and corporate governance frameworks. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and exceptional communication skills are essential to drive legal excellence and support the company’s long-term success.