Head of Legal, Middle East & Africa - Cigna Healthcare

The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI) is a global health services company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and peace of mind.

Cigna’s mission is to provide Affordable, Predictable and Simple solutions to its customers worldwide. Cigna’s products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, and other related products including group disability, life and accident coverage. Cigna operates globally, with approximately 180 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com. The Company is headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, US.

Cigna is proud of its Middle East and Africa (MEA) business which it regards as an exciting engine for growth. Cigna has offices in the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and has partnership arrangements in place across 11 jurisdictions in Africa. The Cigna MEA team serves sectors right across the MEA region including our significant corporate business, governments seeking sector and population health solutions and cover for high net-worth individuals worldwide, using solutions based in the insurance sector as well as the provision of services.

Candidate Requirements

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide guidance on complex matters in a timely, clear and concise manner
• Previous experience in a leadership role with the ability to interact effectively with senior leadership, external legal counsel, and other stakeholders
• A minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience practising law, with at least 4 years of experience in an international law firm
• Excellent drafting and negotiating skills, with experience drafting complex legal agreements
• Solid experience running complex, multi-party transactions from end to end
• People management experience including team coaching, mentoring and career development
• A team player with a can-do attitude and a commitment to delivering high-quality work in a fast-paced environment on time and on budget
• Solid understanding of the Middle East region’s regulatory and legal framework
• Health insurance experience preferred but not essential
• Ability to work confidently within groups in a multi-cultural environment and respond to global/cultural sensitivities
• Demonstrate ethics and integrity at all times

About the Role

The MEA Legal and Compliance team is a collaborative and high performing function which enjoys and values the support of the business. The successful candidate will be the Head of the MEA Legal team based in Dubai, working closely with the Head of the MEA Compliance team and together reporting to the MEA Chief Counsel to support the Cigna MEA regional business. The candidate will collaborate closely with other senior leaders including regional CEOs, CFOs, COOs, General Managers, Chief Commercial Officers, HR and technology leaders and other senior stakeholders of the MEA Region and business leaders around the world. From the outset the successful candidate will help to identify, shape and develop opportunities for the Cigna MEA business as a trusted business partner.

As a senior lawyer you will work closely with your colleagues in MEA Legal and Compliance supporting Cigna’s business with accurate, proportionate and timely legal and regulatory advice to assist the operational, strategic and financial aims of Cigna. You will support, coach and develop the members of the MEA legal team to ensure that the team remains a valued, high performing and engaged partner to the MEA business.

We work closely with our colleagues around the Cigna International Health network and the candidate will collaborate closely with their Head of Legal counterparts in the Europe, APAC and Americas regions. Externally there will be opportunities to work with specialist advisers and interact with regulators and key decision makers around the MEA region.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Head of Legal for Cigna Middle East and Africa

• Influence and collaborate with business leaders, compliance, audit, information protection, privacy and legal leadership to define, develop and support the implementation of business objectives in the MEA region in conjunction with the MEA Chief Counsel.

• Provide timely, concise and accurate updates to MEA senior leadership on key legal developments impacting the Cigna MEA business

• Support, coach and develop the MEA legal team

• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure that the Cigna MEA business operates successfully within its legal and regulatory framework and business requirements

• Remain accountable for local legal and regulatory advice;

• Provide accurate, relevant and proportionate advice on law and regulation as required and provide advice on the operationalization of those laws and regulations, including assessment of the practical effect and materiality of such laws and regulations

• Draft, review and advise on all types of legal documents including contracts and group plans, partnership, broker and distribution agreements, NDAs, policy terms and conditions
• Manage claims, litigation and dispute resolution;
• Ensure that legal and regulatory issues are raised and considered fully and at the earliest opportunity, and decisions documented.
• Be a champion for the Cigna Ethics program

Offer

In addition to a motivating and competitive remuneration package, the role offers the successful candidate the opportunity to lead a highly valued team that plays a key role in the success of a business enjoying strong and exciting growth in a sector which makes a difference to people’s lives.

About Cigna Healthcare

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the online application process, please email: SeeYourselfEMEA@cigna.com for support. Do not email SeeYourselfEMEA@cigna.com for an update on your application or to provide your resume as you will not receive a response.

About The Cigna Group

Doing something meaningful starts with a simple decision, a commitment to changing lives.

At The Cigna Group, we’re dedicated to improving the health and vitality of those we serve. Through our divisions Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services, we are committed to enhancing the lives of our clients, customers and patients.

Join us in driving growth and improving lives.