Senior Legal Counsel – Arqaam Global Markets
Location: DIFC/UAE or Cairo/Egypt
Reports to: Head of Legal – Arqaam Global Markets
About Arqaam Global Markets
Arqaam Global Markets is the regulated financial services business of Arqaam Group, providing institutional clients across the Middle East, Africa and other emerging markets with a comprehensive range of financial services. Its businesses include Sales & Trading, Investment Banking, Asset Management, Research, Treasury & Custody and related capital markets activities. The business operates through regulated entities across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Lebanon, with Arqaam Global Markets Limited acting as the holding company for the platform.
The Opportunity
Arqaam Global Markets is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join its legal team in either Dubai or Cairo offices.
Reporting directly to the Head of Legal, the successful candidate will become a trusted legal adviser to the Global Markets businesses, supporting complex cross-border transactions, strategic initiatives and day-to-day legal matters across multiple jurisdictions.
This role is suited to a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys working closely with senior management and front-office teams in a fast-paced investment banking environment.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will support the Head of Legal across all legal matters affecting Arqaam Global Markets, including:
Capital Markets & Trading
- Drafting and negotiating:
- ISDA Master Agreements
- GMRA/GMSLA documentation
- Brokerage agreements
- Prime brokerage arrangements
- Trading terms and conditions
- OTC derivatives documentation
- Structured product documentation
- Advising on equity, fixed income and derivatives transactions.
- Supporting structured financing and capital markets transactions.
Investment Banking
- ECM and DCM transactions
- IPOs
- Private placements
- M&A transactions
- Corporate advisory mandates
- Reviewing engagement letters, mandates, confidentiality agreements and transaction documentation.
Asset Management & Funds
- Advising on investment funds and discretionary portfolio management.
- Reviewing investment management agreements and fund documentation.
- Supporting new product launches and investment structures.
Commercial & Corporate
- Drafting and negotiating:
- Commercial contracts
- Technology agreements
- Vendor contracts
- Service agreements
- NDAs
- Supporting strategic business initiatives across the Group.
Regulatory
- Advising on legal and regulatory matters relating to:
- DFSA
- ADGM
- UAE SCA
- CMA Saudi Arabia
- Egyptian FRA
- Other regional regulators where applicable
- Working with external counsel on cross-border matters.
- Monitoring legal and regulatory developments impacting the business.
General
- Managing external legal advisers.
- Supporting governance and corporate secretarial matters where required.
- Providing practical legal advice directly to senior business stakeholders.
- Assisting with legal risk management initiatives.
- Contributing to legal process improvements and knowledge management.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will have:
- Qualified lawyer in a recognised common law jurisdiction (England & Wales preferred).
- 7–12 years' post-qualification experience.
- Experience gained at a leading international law firm and/or investment bank.
- Strong background in financial markets and banking documentation.
- Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
- Experience advising on cross-border transactions.
- Commercially pragmatic approach.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills.
Essential Experience
Experience in several of the following:
- Capital Markets
- Investment Banking
- Derivatives
- Structured Finance
- Equity Capital Markets
- Debt Capital Markets
- Asset Management
- Funds
- Commercial Contracts
- Financial Services Regulation
- Cross-border Transactions
Languages
- Fluent English
- Fluent Arabic (written and spoken)
Personal Attributes
- Highly commercial and solution-oriented.
- Strong judgement and integrity.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Able to prioritise multiple matters simultaneously.
- Comfortable working in a dynamic entrepreneurial environment.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Collaborative team player with the confidence to engage directly with senior management.
