Legal Director

About the role

The Legal Director will ensure full legal compliance across core digital banking initiatives, including e‑KYC, digital onboarding, micro‑merchant acquiring, consumer protection, and national switch integrations. Acting as a strategic partner to the COO and C‑suite, you will shape, vet, and launch innovative digital banking products and financial features.

Key responsibilities

• Provide legal oversight for e‑KYC/digital onboarding frameworks, micro‑merchant acquiring, consumer protection guidelines, and ACH/RTGS/Mobile Switch integrations.
• Partner with executive leadership and cross‑functional teams to structure, negotiate, and launch new digital banking products, card programs, and financial services.
• Draft, negotiate, and review high‑value commercial contracts, vendor agreements, and strategic partnerships with payment processors, technology providers, and financial institutions.
• Lead and mentor the internal legal unit, building capabilities in banking regulatory affairs and commercial law.
• Monitor changes in Iraqi law and Central Bank of Iraq regulations (payments, e‑money, banking, consumer protection, data, tax, labor) and advise leadership on business impact.
• Manage litigation, arbitration, and pre‑litigation disputes, including selection and supervision of external counsel and legal budget.

Required profile

• Law degree from an accredited institution.
• 10+ years of legal experience, with at least 4 years in a senior or leadership role, preferably in banking, payments, fintech, telecom, or a CBI‑regulated institution.
• Full professional fluency in Arabic and English, both written and spoken, for drafting and negotiation.

Required skills

• Expertise in banking and payments regulation.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation abilities.
• Leadership and team‑building experience.