Senior Legal Counsel - MEA

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Team: Legal & Compliance

Reporting Structure: Head of Legal EMEA

Geography: Middle East & Africa

About the company:

A multinational oil & gas company is looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to oversee legal operations across the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region. If you have a strong legal background in oil & gas, energy, or industrial sectors, this is an opportunity to join a global leader and play a key role in shaping its legal and compliance framework.

Responsibilities:

• Contract Drafting & Negotiation Draft, review, and negotiate high-value contracts, including joint ventures, EPC contracts, and supply agreements. Ensure alignment with local legal frameworks in key MEA markets.
• Anti-Bribery & FCPA Compliance Develop and enforce policies to ensure full compliance with FCPA, UK Bribery Act, and regional anti-corruption laws. Conduct risk assessments and provide training to internal teams on anti-bribery and ethics regulations in MEA.
• Legal & Regulatory Compliance Ensure compliance with regional energy laws, environmental regulations, and local content requirements in jurisdictions across MEA. Liaise with government authorities on licensing, permits, and regulatory matters.
• Risk Management & Dispute Resolution Identify legal risks related to cross-border operations, investment projects, and procurement. Manage dispute resolution, arbitration, and litigation across multiple jurisdictions, working closely with external counsel.
• Mergers, Acquisitions & Market Expansion Support M&A transactions, due diligence, and joint ventures in MEA by navigating regulatory approvals, tax implications, and contract negotiations.
• Employment & Labor Law Compliance Advise on employment contracts, workforce policies, and labor disputes in compliance with labor laws across the MEA region.
• Corporate Governance & Ethics Develop and implement corporate governance frameworks to ensure transparent operations, compliance with local laws, and adherence to global best practices.

Requirements:

• 6-8 years of experience in a legal role within the oil & gas, energy, or industrial sectors preferably in a matrix organization.
• Strong knowledge of MEA legal frameworks, corporate governance, and compliance regulations.
• Expertise in contract law, regulatory affairs, dispute resolution, and risk management.
• Experience supporting M&A transactions, joint ventures, and business expansion.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally with finance, operations, and commercial teams.
• Fluency in English & Arabic is mandatory.
• Experience in the Saudi market is mandatory.

This is an opportunity to be part of a globally recognized leader in the oil & gas sector and play a key role in shaping its legal and compliance strategy across the region.

If you have the right skill set mentioned in the requirements above, please apply with an updated CV.