Unit Head – Legal – Business & Litigation Support (Banking)

About the role

Our client, a leading banking institution in Manama, Bahrain, is seeking an experienced legal professional to lead the Business & Litigation Support function. The Unit Head will provide practical, commercially‑sound legal advice across the bank’s business lines and safeguard its legal position.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Business & Litigation Support team, delivering timely legal guidance to internal stakeholders.
• Advise on banking products, operational matters, customer documentation, commercial arrangements and strategic initiatives.
• Manage disputes, claims, litigation, arbitration and pre‑litigation matters, coordinating with external counsel and overseeing case strategy and reporting.
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of agreements to protect the bank’s interests.
• Identify, escalate and resolve legal risks, providing clear recommendations aligned with business objectives.
• Monitor Bahrain banking regulations, including Central Bank of Bahrain requirements, and advise on implications.
• Contribute to internal policies, legal templates, governance controls and process improvements.
• Oversee external counsel budgets, performance and matter management.
• Build strong relationships with compliance, risk, operations and senior leadership.
• Coach and develop junior legal team members.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB or equivalent); a Master’s degree or professional qualification is advantageous.
• Significant post‑qualification legal experience, preferably within a bank, financial institution or reputable law firm serving banking clients.
• Strong background in business legal support, dispute and litigation management, contract negotiation and legal risk advisory.
• Good working knowledge of Bahrain’s legal and regulatory framework for banks, including Central Bank of Bahrain regulations.
• Experience engaging with external counsel, regulators and senior internal stakeholders.
• Fluency in English; Arabic language skills are a plus.

Required skills