Senior Legal Counsel - Islamic Finance

Role Overview

Mashreq is seeking a Vice President, Senior Legal Counsel – Islamic Banking to serve as the lead legal advisor across the Bank's Islamic Banking franchise. This senior leadership position is based at Mashreq.

Role Purpose

Provide strategic legal guidance on Islamic banking products, transactions, treasury activities, capital markets, and regulatory matters across Corporate & Investment Banking, Retail Banking, International Banking, and Treasury & Global Markets. Ensure that Shariah-compliant structures are legally enforceable, commercially viable, and aligned with UAE regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Islamic Banking Advisory & Structuring

• Act as the principal legal advisor and single point of accountability for Islamic Banking legal matters across all business divisions.
• Structure, review, negotiate, and advise on complex Shariah-compliant financing transactions, including Murabaha, Tawarruq, Ijarah, Wakala, Mudaraba, Musharaka, Istisna'a, Salam, and Sukuk structures.
• Draft and negotiate Islamic financing documentation, including Islamic adaptations of LMA-based facility agreements and associated security packages.
• Advise on legal enforceability, security perfection, and regulatory implications of Islamic banking structures under UAE and international law.

Treasury & Capital Markets

• Provide legal support for Islamic treasury and capital markets products, including Sukuk issuances, Islamic hedging transactions, profit rate swaps, and Tahawwut Master Agreements.

Product Innovation & Stakeholder Partnership

• Partner with business stakeholders to develop innovative, commercially sound, and legally robust Islamic banking products and solutions.
• Liaise independently with Shariah Governance functions and Internal Shariah Supervision Committees to translate Shariah requirements into legally effective documentation.

Strategic Initiatives & Leadership

• Lead legal projects and strategic initiatives, including digital transformation, AI-driven solutions, and new Islamic banking product development.
• Manage and oversee external legal counsel, ensuring high-quality advice, effective cost management, and alignment with business objectives.
• Mentor and develop junior legal professionals while enhancing Islamic legal templates, precedents, policies, and best-practice standards across the Bank.

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualified lawyer with a Law degree from a reputable university and admission to practice in a recognized jurisdiction.
• Minimum 10–12 years post-qualification experience in banking and finance law.
• At least 8–10 years of specialized Islamic finance experience, gained within a leading international law firm, financial institution, or both.
• Strong and current experience supporting UAE-based Islamic banking transactions and financial products.
• Deep expertise across Islamic financing structures including Murabaha, Tawarruq, Ijarah, Wakala, Mudaraba, Musharaka, Istisna'a, Salam, and Sukuk.
• Comprehensive understanding of UAE banking regulations, Islamic banking legislation, Central Bank requirements, and AAOIFI standards.
• Proven experience drafting and negotiating LMA-based financing documentation and Islamic finance master agreements.
• Expertise in treasury, financial markets, capital markets, and Islamic hedging documentation, including IIFM/ISDA Tahawwut Master Agreements.
• Demonstrated track record advising on complex, high-value, cross-border financing and security arrangements across multiple jurisdictions.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional stakeholder management, negotiation, leadership, and communication skills.
• Ability to influence senior executives, regulators, Shariah authorities, and external counsel.