Senior Legal Counsel - Consumer and Private Banking
Posted date [2026-04-27]
(ID: 44582)
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As the largest bank in the UAE, FAB has taken decisive steps as a regional pacesetter in the financial industry to bind both ambition and action together to accelerate the pace of positive environmental change. As the first bank in the MENA region to have committed to a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, we're making advances across our own operations in addition to walking alongside our clients as their strategic partner to ensure they can achieve their climate goals.... |
Job Snapshot
Role: Senior Legal Counsel - Consumer and Private Banking
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Banking
Function: Legal
Experience: 8+ years
Job Type: Full-time
Position Overview
Senior Legal Counsel - Consumer and Private Banking in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is a senior leadership opportunity within the Banking industry for professionals specializing in Legal advisory and banking compliance. This role supports First Abu Dhabi Bank by managing legal risk across payments activities, consumer banking, and private banking operations while ensuring compliance with legal frameworks across UAE and international jurisdictions.
Job Details
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Abu Dhabi
Industry: Banking
Function: Legal
Salary: 28000-45000
ONLY if salary is NOT provided: Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: UAE National
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
This position is responsible for supporting the Head of Legal – Consumer and Private Banking in managing legal risks across payments products, digital banking initiatives, and private banking operations. The selected professional will provide legal advice, manage litigation, draft critical agreements, and ensure regulatory compliance while protecting the bank’s commercial and reputational interests.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide legal advice and support across Consumer Banking, Private Banking, and payments activities while aligning with FAB strategic business objectives
* Support the Head of Legal – Consumer and Private Banking in managing legal risk across all operating geographies
* Guide the business on compliance with international and domestic laws, regulations, and banking legal frameworks
* Assist in establishing, implementing, and maintaining legal policies and procedures across the group
* Complete legal tasks, advisory matters, and assigned legal projects within required timelines
* Support subsidiaries and international branches with legal oversight on payments products and services
* Supervise litigation and disputes between the bank and customers across UAE and international operations
* Represent the bank before notary public, court experts, courts, and police authorities where required
* Report litigation matters to the Group General Counsel and provide updates to senior stakeholders
* Draft, review, negotiate, and update contracts and legal documentation to strengthen legal protection and minimize risk
* Maintain standardized legal agreements, contracts, and terms and conditions aligned with international best practices
* Support business teams in launching new products and conduct legal and regulatory due diligence across jurisdictions
* Draft and negotiate payment services documentation including merchant acquirer agreements, PSP agreements, and payment partnership agreements
* Support digitization initiatives and rollout of new payments products and services
* Monitor new laws and regulations and advise senior business leaders on compliance requirements and legal impacts
* Liaise with external law firms, regulators, and relevant authorities to ensure efficient legal resolution
* Share legal knowledge and provide training sessions for internal legal and business teams
* Recommend process improvements to increase legal efficiency and reduce turnaround time
* Support performance management and development of direct reports through guidance and coaching
Ideal Profile
* Bachelor’s degree in Law from an internationally recognized university
* Master’s degree in Law is preferred
* Qualified lawyer in the UAE
* UAE National is required
* Minimum 8 years of experience in a reputed bank or law firm
* Strong familiarity with banking products, payment services, and private banking legal frameworks
* Strong expertise in legal advisory, litigation management, and banking contract negotiation
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Arabic and English
* Strong stakeholder management and legal risk assessment capabilities
* Ability to work independently on complex legal matters while managing high-risk decisions responsibly
Skills Set
* Legal
* Banking legal advisory
* Consumer Banking compliance
* Private Banking legal support
* Payments and PSP agreements
* Contract drafting and negotiation
* Litigation management
* Regulatory compliance
* Stakeholder management
* Legal risk mitigation
Why Join Us
* Join one of the UAE’s largest and safest financial institutions in a senior legal leadership role
* Lead strategic legal support across payments, consumer banking, and private banking operations
* Work directly with executive leadership and major cross-border legal matters
* Competitive salary package with strong leadership and long-term career progression opportunities
* Gain exposure to international banking regulations and complex legal frameworks
* Build a high-impact legal career with a bank known for stability, trust, and financial excellence
About the Company
First Abu Dhabi Bank is the UAE’s largest bank and one of the world’s leading financial institutions, providing a full range of corporate, retail, investment, and private banking services. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, FAB combines strong regional expertise with global reach, delivering innovative financial solutions and trusted customer relationships across the Middle East and international markets.
