Job Description

Job Title: Legal Counsel – STPD-Legal, Middle East & Africa

Job Description: As a Legal Counsel in the STPD-Legal EMEA function at the SMBC DIFC Branch, you will provide legal support and advice to all business and governance departments across SMBC’s Middle East and Africa footprint — supporting senior lawyers with analysis and identification of legal risks and implications of business transactions, vendor engagement, local governance, and regulatory developments. The Middle East region requires a progressive, commercially aware, and forward-thinking junior-level legal professional advising front office, support, and control teams.

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal support and advice to all business and governance departments across SMBC’s Middle East & Africa footprint
• Support senior lawyers with analysis and identification of legal risks and implications of business transactions, vendor engagement, and local governance
• Keep the regional business and governance teams informed of developments in laws and regulations affecting the business
• Advise front office, support, and control teams across the Middle East & Africa on legal risks relating to business conduct
• Provide proactive, in-depth, commercially focused advice and guidance to internal stakeholders in line with risk appetite
• Support the delivery of a full suite of corporate finance products — corporate, structured, trade finance, leveraged finance, investment banking, and global capital markets
• Coordinate with external lawyers, regulators, and banking partners on legal matters across the MEA footprint
• Support SMBC’s international growth agenda contributing to sustainable finance and innovative capital markets solutions

Qualifications Needed:

• Progressive, commercially aware, and forward-thinking junior-level legal professional — required for this MEA legal role
• Qualified lawyer with relevant experience in banking and corporate finance legal advisory
• Strong understanding of legal risks in corporate finance, structured finance, trade finance, and capital markets
• Prior interaction with regulators and banking partners advantageous
• Excellent analytical, written, and commercial communication skills for internal and external legal advisory
• Arabic language skills advantageous for MEA regional legal and regulatory engagement

What the Company Offers:

• Legal Counsel STPD-Legal Middle East & Africa role at SMBC DIFC Branch — a trusted long-term banking partner with universal banking platform across EMEA
• Private medical insurance, life and invalidity insurance, mental wellbeing support, and career development opportunities
• Opportunity to work on diverse projects supporting clients’ transition to a sustainable future

Are you interested in this position? Apply by clicking on the “Apply Now” button below!

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