Associate - Corporate, Governance and Legal

Company Description

Role Description

Associate - Corporate, Governance and Legal

1. Corporate Secretarial & Governance

• Draft, review, and maintain corporate documentation, including shareholder/director resolutions, registers, minutes, memoranda and articles of association, and statutory filings
• Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable regulations across relevant jurisdictions (e.g. QFC, QFZ, AIFC, UAE free zones, and mainland regimes)
• Maintain and update statutory registers (shareholders, directors, officers, UBOs) and corporate records
• Support corporate governance frameworks, including documentation of decision-making processes and internal policies

2. Regulatory Filings & Corporate Actions

• Prepare, submit, and follow up on applications with regulators for incorporations, amendments, license renewals, liquidations, and other corporate actions
• Liaise with authorities such as Qatar Financial Centre Authority, Qatar Free Zones Authority, Astana International Financial Center and relevant UAE free zone authorities
• Monitor deadlines (e.g. annual returns, AFS filings, renewals) and ensure timely submissions

3. Legal Drafting & Documentation

• Draft and review a broad range of legal and commercial documents, including service agreements, shareholder agreements, powers of attorney, and engagement letters
• Support structuring and documentation of transactions (e.g. share transfers, restructuring, governance changes)
• Ensure consistency and quality of legal documentation across client engagements

4. Client & Transaction Support

• Act as a point of contact for clients on corporate secretarial and legal documentation matters
• Support onboarding processes, including KYC/AML documentation and coordination with internal compliance teams
• Assist in managing multi-jurisdictional projects and coordinating with external counsel, auditors, and advisors

5. Compliance & Risk Management

• Support internal compliance processes, including AML/CFT procedures applicable to DNFBPs
• Assist in identifying legal and regulatory risks and ensuring appropriate documentation and mitigation measures
• Maintain proper audit trails and documentation standards for all client engagements

6. Knowledge & Content Development

• Contribute to thought leadership, including drafting articles, client alerts, newsletters, and short presentations
• Support the development of internal templates, precedents, and best practices
• Monitor regulatory developments in key markets (Qatar, UAE, KSA, Oman, Kazakhstan) and provide internal updates

Education & Professional Background

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) or a related field (LLM is an advantage)
• Additional qualifications in corporate governance or company secretarial practice (e.g. ICSA/CGI) are a plus

Relevant Experience

• 2–6 years of experience in:
• a corporate services provider, law firm, or professional services firm, or
• an in-house legal / corporate secretarial function with exposure to multi-jurisdictional structures
• Hands-on experience with company incorporation, corporate maintenance, and regulatory filings
• Familiarity with jurisdictions such as QFC, QFZ, AIFC, UAE free zones (e.g. DIFC, ADGM, DMCC, IFZA) is highly desirable

Technical Skills

• Strong legal drafting skills across corporate and commercial documentation
• Solid understanding of corporate governance and compliance frameworks
• Working knowledge of AML/KYC requirements and regulatory environments in the GCC
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines across jurisdictions

Soft Skills & Profile

• High level of attention to detail and organizational skills
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) with a professional, client-facing approach
• Ability to work independently while coordinating within a small, high-performing team
• Commercial awareness and ability to balance legal precision with practical solutions

Languages

• Fluent in English (mandatory)
• Kazakh and/or Chinese is an advantage

Location

• Dubai
• Kazakhstan