Managing Director, Head of Middle East Legal 

Role Summary:

The Head of Middle East Legal provides senior legal leadership to State Street’s custody and fund administration services offered in the Middle East region, and related entity governance and regulatory advice. State Street’s investment management business in the Middle East is separately managed and not part of this mandate. In this role you will serve as an in-house subject matter expert across global custody and related investment servicing products, the negotiation of large contractual mandates and client disputes. You will also advise on evolving industry best practices and associated legal and regulatory standards as well as product level regulatory requirements applicable in the context of locally regulated subsidiaries and branches of a US global systemically important bank.  

The role is critical in effectively counseling legal and regulatory considerations and contributing balanced solutions throughout State Street’s global operations that align with its strategic priorities.  A seasoned ability to communicate with senior executives is key to successful execution of this role, as is a strong ability to collaborate across jurisdictions and departments and with other expert lawyers and professionals in the Legal Division.

This role reports to the SVP Head of Investment Services EMEA Legal, and EVP Head of International Legal. State Street’s Middle East presence is in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Oman and is expanding within the region. This role will be based in our Abu Dhabi branch in ADGM and will be expected to travel in the region and support strategic transactions and new presences in the region including regulatory permissioning.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Counselling the executive management team in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in the UAE (Abu Dhabi) on strategic decision-making and growth opportunities, including local governance and regulatory expectations and best practices

• Leading regulatory and governance counselling to country and region management, the legal entity boards, the compliance function, the company secretarial function

• Managing legal support to all client commercial contracting for State Street’s Investment Services, Alpha, CRD, Wealth and Global Delivery organizations in the Middle East, including product related regulatory considerations

• Providing advice and guidance on outsourcing, management of client disputes, internal investigations, and regulatory remediation programs

• Navigating jurisdictional differences in investment servicing legal and regulatory requirements

• Managing, developing and engaging a team of legal professionals, with a strong focus on talent development

• Ensuring timely reporting of relevant risks, developments and events to Legal Division senior leadership and local management

• Managing outside counsel and other expenses

• Liaising directly with regulatory and governmental agencies on the interpretation and application of regulations and expectations to State Street’s regional businesses, including on licensing applications

• Communicating with stakeholders (e.g., executives, industry peers and regulators) regarding investment servicing topics

• Developing relationships with peers within the financial services industry and external counsel, and representing State Street in industry forums

Qualifications:

• The qualified candidate must be a recognized subject matter expert in legal issues associated with one or more of the following areas: global custody, collective investment schemes and vehicles, commercial outsourcing, or asset management

• Extensive senior-level experience, including expertise in regulatory and governance matters with demonstrated management and leadership background

• Proven interpersonal and communication skills

• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder management, evaluating risks and counselling with sound judgement

• Highly organized with extensive problem-solving

• Law degree from an accredited university, and admitted to practice in a major international financial centre

Are you the right candidate? Yes!

We truly believe in the power that comes from the diverse backgrounds and experiences our employees bring with them. Although each vacancy details what we are looking for, we don’t necessarily need you to fulfil all of them when applying. If you like change and innovation, seek to see the bigger picture, make data driven decisions and are a good team player, you could be a great fit.

About State Street

Across the globe, institutional investors rely on us to help them manage risk, respond to challenges, and drive performance and profitability. We keep our clients at the heart of everything we do, and smart, engaged employees are essential to our continued success.

We are committed to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. As an essential partner in our shared success, you’ll benefit from inclusive development opportunities, flexible work-life support, paid volunteer days, and vibrant employee networks that keep you connected to what matters most. Join us in shaping the future.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we consider all qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, military and veteran status, and other characteristics protected by applicable law.

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