Head of Legal - GCC

Head of Legal - GCC Role We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of Legal, GCC to lead Sokin’s legal support across the GCC region, based in Dubai. You will be responsible for shaping and delivering legal support for Sokin’s activities across the region, with a particular focus on regulatory support relating to licensing, ongoing legal support for regulated operations, and broad commercial legal advisory work. You'll serve as a key legal partner to regional leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, supporting business growth while ensuring legal and regulatory risks are identified early and managed pragmatically. The individual will work closely with Compliance, Risk, Product and Commercial teams, as well as with external counsel and relevant regulators, to support Sokin’s expansion and operation across GCC markets. You will need to be a practical, solutions-oriented lawyer who is comfortable operating in a fast-moving payments environment and can balance commercial objectives with appropriate legal risk management. About Us Sokin is a next-generation B2B financial services provider, enabling businesses to make and receive global payments with greater speed, lower cost, and total transparency. Our mission is simple: we’re simplifying global business - so businesses thrive wherever they choose to grow. We deliver services across: Global payments and receivables Foreign Exchange (FX) Treasury management Finance reconciliations We are rapidly expanding, with established presence in EMEA, APAC, and North America. Backed by a strong global infrastructure and industry-leading partners, we are redefining how businesses move money worldwide. Our clients span industries from sports and entertainment to logistics and travel, and our community is growing rapidly. As we continue to expand, we’re building a team of exceptional people who share our ambition to transform the future of global payments. Key Responsibilities GCC Legal Leadership & Advisory Lead legal support for Sokin’s activities across the GCC region, ensuring alignment with business priorities and applicable local legal and regulatory requirements. Act as a trusted legal advisor to regional leadership on a broad range of matters, including commercial contracts, product and distribution arrangements, regulatory developments, data protection/privacy, intellectual property, disputes, and corporate governance. Partner closely with Compliance, Risk, Product and Commercial teams to support regional launches, new initiatives and ongoing operations. Provide practical, commercially focused legal guidance that enables growth while protecting the organisation’s interests. Manage relationships with external counsel across GCC jurisdictions, ensuring timely, high-quality and cost-effective legal support. Regulatory & Licensing Support Support Sokin’s legal strategy in relation to licensing and regulated activities across the GCC, working closely with Compliance and business leadership. Lead or support the legal workstream for licensing applications, regulatory approvals, renewals, ongoing reporting obligations, and change management processes, with oversight of internal stakeholders and external counsel where required. Advise on legal and regulatory considerations connected with market entry, business expansions, new products and operational change. Support responses to regulatory queries, supervisory engagement, audits and reviews, ensuring legal input is coordinated and clearly documented. Help shape and maintain governance frameworks, policies, legal documentation and controls that support regulatory obligations and sound risk management. Commercial Legal Support Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including customer terms, supplier contracts, partnership agreements, referral arrangements, technology contracts and other strategic commercial documentation. Support commercial and operational teams on day-to-day legal matters arising from customer relationships, third-party arrangements and regional business activity. Provide legal support for strategic partnerships, distribution arrangements, outsourcing and vendor onboarding. Help drive standardisation of contract terms and legal approaches where appropriate to support efficiency and scalability. Building the Regional Legal Capability Establish and evolve a fit-for-purpose legal operating model for the GCC region, including templates, playbooks, approval processes, governance materials and training for internal teams. Contribute to the development of a scalable legal framework that supports both current operations and future regional growth. As the business grows, help assess resource needs and contribute to building a high-performing regional legal capability, whether in-house or through a managed external counsel model. What success looks like in 12 months Within 12 months, the Head of Legal, GCC will be seen as a trusted and commercially credible legal leader who has helped build a strong legal foundation for Sokin’s growth across the GCC region. Success in the role will include having established effective legal support for the region’s regulatory and licensing priorities, with clear legal ownership of licensing-related workstreams, strong coordination with Compliance and business stakeholders, and well-managed relationships with external counsel. The individual will have helped ensure that legal considerations are embedded early in expansion, product and operational decisions, and that regional legal risks are being managed in a practical and proportionate way. They will also have built confidence across the business as a responsive and solutions-oriented advisor, enabling commercial progress while maintaining appropriate legal and regulatory discipline. Commercial agreements and partnership arrangements will be supported by clear, pragmatic legal guidance, and legal input will be viewed as a facilitator of growth rather than a blocker. A strong outcome after 12 months would be that the legal function in the GCC is no longer reactive or fragmented, but is instead seen as a valued strategic capability that helps Sokin grow safely and effectively in the region. Qualifications Qualified lawyer with strong post-qualification experience, ideally gained in-house and with relevant exposure to fintech, payments, financial services, or another regulated environment. Significant experience advising on regulatory and licensing matters in one or more GCC markets, ideally within payments, fintech or broader financial services. Strong experience providing general commercial legal support in a fast-paced business, including drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements. Experience partnering closely with Compliance and Risk teams and supporting engagement with regulators, external counsel and internal stakeholders. Strong understanding of legal issues relevant to regulated financial services businesses in the GCC region. Proven ability to simplify complex legal issues and provide pragmatic, business-oriented advice to senior stakeholders. Experience building or improving legal processes, templates, playbooks and governance structures in a scaling business. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate effectively across multiple jurisdictions and functions. We are an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive work environment. As a growing global startup, we value agility and flexibility in our working culture. If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know. Department Compliance Locations Dubai Remote status Hybrid Dubai Workplace, Culture & Diversity Sokin’s company culture is a vibrant blend of diversity and inclusivity. We're a dynamic team on a mission to revolutionise international payments. At Sokin, we believe in fostering a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential. Our culture is built on our employees’ collaboration, innovation, and a shared passion for making a positive impact on the world of international payments. Join us and become part of a dynamic team that's shaping the future of payments. If you're passionate about payments and our driven cause, and enjoy working in a collaborative environment, we'd love to have you join us on this exciting journey.