Job Description

Job Code: 5498
Job Title: Head of Legal and Board Secretary Role
Job Location: Abu Dhabi
I. Legal Leadership & Advisory (Insurance Sector Focus)

• Provide strategic legal counsel to the CEO, Board, and Executive Team on all corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters.
• Lead the Legal Department, managing lawyers, advisors, and external counsel with clear KPIs and accountability.
• Interpret and implement insurance-specific laws (UAE Insurance Authority, Central Bank, SCA, etc.).
• Draft, review, and negotiate high-risk contracts: reinsurance treaties, bancassurance agreements, third-party administration (TPA), distribution, and IT vendor contracts.
• Manage all litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution (claims, underwriting, HR, compliance, shareholder disputes).
• Ensure legal risk assessments are conducted for all major corporate initiatives (new products, system integrations, cross-border operations).

II. Regulatory Compliance & Licensing

• Oversee compliance with local and international laws (CBUAE, ESR, AML/CFT, GDPR, FATCA/CRS where applicable).
• Liaise directly with regulators (Central Bank, SCA, Ministry of Economy) on audits, flings, inspections, and license renewals.
• Ensure legal compliance of marketing, sales, and insurance product documentation.
• Maintain a strong legal framework to support ongoing digital transformation, AI use, and cyber risk mitigation.

III. Board Secretary & Corporate Governance

• Act as Secretary to the Board of Directors, ensuring best practice in governance, disclosure, and documentation.
• Organize and document all Board, NRC, Audit, Risk & Compliance,

Investment, and Executive Committee meetings.

• Prepare and maintain Board agendas, resolutions, minutes, and secure confidential records.
• Ensure timely delivery of board packs, regulatory reports, and corporate governance disclosures (including CBUAE/SCA formats).
• Guide directors on fiduciary duties, board evaluations, and code of conduct adherence.

IV. Risk, Ethics & Corporate Policy

• Partner with Risk & Compliance in managing legal and reputational risks across the organization.
• Establish and update internal policies, charters, and frameworks (Whistleblower, Con?ict of Interest, Code of Ethics).
• Conduct legal training for sta? on key compliance areas (AML/CFT, competition law, data privacy).
• Champion an ethical and compliant culture throughout the organization.

V. M&A, Restructuring & Shareholder A?airs

• Lead legal due diligence and structuring of M&A, joint ventures, and shareholding changes.
• Draft shareholder agreements, resolutions, capital increases, and special regulatory approvals.
• Support group restructuring initiatives, free zone expansions, or strategic partnerships

Skills Required