JOB PURPOSE
The Head of Legal & Compliance for Mashreq Capital is responsible for leading the full compliance and internal legal agenda of Mashreq Capital as a distinct asset management business.
From a compliance perspective, the role-holder will be responsible for all Mashreq Capital compliance responsibilities and for ensuring compliance with all applicable requirements of the DFSA and, in due course, the CMA. The role will oversee all routine compliance activities, regulatory reporting, monitoring, advisory support and regulatory engagement required for Mashreq Capital, and will also be responsible for overseeing all applicable CMA requirements as that regulatory perimeter develops.
A core part of the mandate is to establish, implement and continuously enhance Mashreq Capital’s own compliance framework as a distinct asset manager, rather than relying primarily on the Group’s existing banking-led frameworks. This requires deep knowledge of the regulatory environment of both the DFSA and the CMA, as well as a complete understanding of asset management activities in order to create fit-for-purpose frameworks, policies and controls that meet regulatory requirements, industry best practice and Group-wide policy standards.
From a legal perspective, the role-holder will act as the internal legal adviser to the business across regulatory matters, legal requirements for existing and new products, supplier and other commercial contracts, and broader corporate legal guidance. The role requires strong asset management legal expertise, including legal knowledge relevant to launching new products and establishing fund structures across public and private assets. The role-holder will also be responsible for procuring external legal advice and opinions where required, and for helping establish Mashreq Capital’s legal and governance framework in coordination with the wider Group..
KEY RESULT AREAS:
1. Compliance Leadership and Regulatory Oversight
- Lead and manage all compliance responsibilities for Mashreq Capital.
- Act as the primary point of accountability for compliance with DFSA and CMA requirements.
- Ensure timely and accurate completion of all routine compliance activities, monitoring, regulatory submissions, Board reporting and regulatory notifications.
- Maintain an effective second line of defence function with appropriate independence, oversight and challenge.
- Serve as the key compliance contact for regulatory interactions, inspections, reviews and information requests.
2. Development of the Mashreq Capital Compliance Framework
- Design, implement and continuously enhance a dedicated Mashreq Capital compliance framework suited to an asset management business.
- Ensure that policies, procedures, controls and governance arrangements reflect the specific regulatory requirements and best practices applicable to asset management, funds and investment activities.
- Adapt relevant Group policies and standards where appropriate, while ensuring Mashreq Capital has its own distinct, fit-for-purpose framework rather than relying solely on bank-led approaches.
- Maintain a forward-looking view of regulatory developments and emerging best practices relevant to the DFSA, CMA and the broader asset management industry, and ensure the framework is capable of supporting multiple regulators and jurisdictions as the business evolves.
3. Compliance Advisory and Business Support
- Advise the business on regulatory obligations, conduct requirements, product governance, distribution issues, client documentation, financial promotions and other compliance matters.
- Support the safe launch of new business activities, products and fund structures by ensuring regulatory requirements are identified and addressed from the outset.
- Provide practical, commercially aware guidance that supports business objectives without compromising regulatory standards.
4. Internal Legal Advisory
- Provide day-to-day internal legal support across Mashreq Capital’s activities.
- Advise on regulatory legal issues, legal requirements for existing and new products, corporate matters and broader legal risk issues affecting the business.
- Support the structuring and launch of public and private asset products and different fund vehicles, ensuring legal requirements are properly assessed and addressed.
- Provide legal guidance on governance matters, internal documentation and firm-level legal protections.
5. Contracts and Legal Risk Management
- Review, draft and negotiate commercial contracts, supplier agreements, NDAs and other legal documentation.
- Ensure Mashreq Capital is adequately protected from legal, contractual and regulatory risk in its dealings with external parties.
- Identify where specialist advice is required and procure external legal opinions or counsel as necessary.
- Manage external legal support efficiently and ensure advice is translated into practical actions for the business.
6. Governance and Board Support
- Support Mashreq Capital in establishing and strengthening its legal, compliance and governance framework
- Prepare and present clear reporting to the Board and CEO on compliance matters, legal risks, regulatory developments and control issues
- Ensure governance arrangements remain appropriate for a regulated asset manager and evolve with the business.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor degree in Finance or Accounting with strong GPA.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in senior compliance, legal or combined legal/compliance roles within regulated financial services, preferably in asset management or investment management.
- Deep understanding of the DFSA regulatory framework and strong knowledge of the CMA regulatory environment.
- Strong knowledge of asset management legal and compliance requirements, including fund launches, product structuring, public and private asset products, and investment-related regulatory obligations.
- Demonstrated experience in designing or enhancing legal, compliance and governance frameworks for regulated businesses
- Strong grounding in commercial contracts, supplier agreements, NDAs and legal risk management.
- Experience engaging with external legal counsel and managing external legal opinions or specialist advice.
- Strong judgement, credibility and communication skills, with the ability to advise senior stakeholders in a practical and commercially effective way.
- Ability to work independently while influencing across business, control and Group functions.
- University degree in Law or a related discipline; a legal qualification and/or relevant compliance credentials would be advantageous.
