Legal Manager

Foreground is partnering with a leading energy and drilling services company in the Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, to hire an experienced Legal Manager to support its Legal & Compliance Department.

This position demands a strategic yet hands-on professional with strong commercial acumen, sound legal judgment, and the ability to operate autonomously in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Legal Managers responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to:

Leadership and Legal Oversight

• Lead and manage all legal activities, mentoring and supervising the work of subordinate lawyers and legal staff.
• Provide guidance on legal rights, obligations, and risk exposure across the companys business units.
• Act as a key advisor to management and the Head of Legal & Compliance on complex legal issues and strategic initiatives.
• Represent the companys legal interests in dealings with regulators, clients, and counterparties.

Contracts and Commercial Matters

• Negotiate, draft, review, and execute a wide range of contracts, including procurement, drilling, oilfield services, rig build, and shipyard agreements.
• Ensure contractual terms protect the companys interests, mitigate risks, and comply with internal policies and applicable laws.
• Standardize and enhance contract templates and clauses to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Manage the companys contract management procedures, ensuring adherence to established policies.

Compliance and Governance

• Design, implement, and monitor systems to ensure compliance with Saudi laws and international regulations applicable to the oilfield and drilling sectors.
• Develop and update corporate policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks to ensure ongoing regulatory alignment.
• Lead internal investigations into any potential legal or regulatory breaches and oversee remediation efforts.
• Research relevant laws, regulations, and judicial decisions to provide clear and practical legal advice to stakeholders.

Litigation and External Counsel

• Manage and coordinate all litigation, claims, and disputes, ensuring timely and effective legal representation.
• Retain and supervise external legal counsel, ensuring the company receives cost-effective and high-quality legal services.
• Prepare and review legal memoranda, opinions, and submissions, ensuring consistency with company objectives.
• Report all legal updates, litigation progress, and material developments to the Head of Legal & Compliance.

Advisory and Business Partnership

• Advise on labor law issues, commercial transactions, and corporate structuring matters.
• Provide legal support to new business ventures, registrations, and licensing activities.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across departments to ensure alignment on legal risk management and contract execution.
• Serve as the departments representative in client or partner negotiations when required.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelors Degree in Law from a recognized university (Common Law education preferred).
• Minimum 10 years of legal experience, including at least 3 years in a managerial capacity.
• Proven exposure to oil, gas, offshore drilling, or maritime industries.
• Experience in both corporate environments and law firms; consultancy or Big Four experience (e.g., EY, KPMG) is a strong plus.
• Deep understanding of Saudi labor law, commercial regulations, and compliance frameworks.
• Strong organizational, drafting, and communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
• High degree of professionalism, maturity, and independence, able to work with minimal supervision.
• Bilingual proficiency (Arabic and English) preferred.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, self-reliant, and capable of handling complex workloads independently.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a pragmatic approach to business and legal challenges.
• High professional integrity, confidentiality, and commitment to maintaining quality and consistency.
• Flexible and adaptable to evolving business needs and regulatory changes.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary (to be discussed based on experience).
• VIP medical insurance and life insurance coverage.
• Schooling allowance up to SAR 40,000 for up to three children.
• Standard working hours: Sunday to Wednesday (7:00 AM 4:00 PM) and Thursday (8:00 AM 12:00 PM).
• Annual performance bonus (typically 25% for managerial roles).