International Trade Compliance Counsel | Global Sanctions & Export Controls Role – Relocation to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
If you’re a trade, sanctions, or export controls lawyer considering a move in-house, this is an opportunity to step into a role where your advice directly shapes how a global organisation navigates complex international regulations.
You’ll be advising on cross-border trade risks at scale, working closely with senior stakeholders, and playing a key role in how the business approaches compliance across multiple jurisdictions. This is a position with real visibility, where your input influences major operational and strategic decisions.
The Firm
This opportunity sits within the in-house legal function of a globally significant energy company, headquartered in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The organisation operates across the full energy value chain, from upstream exploration and production through to downstream refining, chemicals, and retail. It is consistently ranked among the largest companies globally and continues to expand its international footprint through subsidiaries, joint ventures, and affiliates.
With ongoing large-scale investment across global markets, including in AI, sustainability, and advanced technologies, the regulatory landscape is becoming increasingly complex. As a result, the compliance legal team plays a central role in supporting the business, advising on trade, sanctions, and regulatory risk across multiple jurisdictions.
The team is lean, high-calibre, and works closely with senior management and business leaders, ensuring compliance considerations are embedded into key decisions.
The Role
You will take a leading role advising on international trade compliance, with a focus on export controls, sanctions, and foreign investment regulations across the organisation’s global operations. Your work will involve assessing how sanctions and trade restrictions apply at both entity and group level, advising on export licensing requirements, and supporting the business in navigating complex regulatory frameworks across the US, EU, UK, and other jurisdictions.
You will also be responsible for identifying trade-related risks and designing and implementing practical compliance frameworks to manage them. This includes developing internal policies, supporting business units with real-time advice, and ensuring alignment with evolving global regulations.
Alongside advisory work, you will contribute to the development and delivery of training programmes, work with internal stakeholders across business lines, and manage external counsel where required.
This is a highly visible role, where you will work closely with senior stakeholders and play a key part in shaping how the organisation approaches international trade compliance.
The Candidate
- Qualified lawyer with approximately 7–10 years’ PQE (UK, US, Australian, or New Zealand qualification preferred)
- Strong experience in international trade compliance, including sanctions and export controls
- Experience advising on cross-border regulatory issues within a law firm or multinational organisation
- Familiarity with US, EU, and UK trade regulations and licensing regimes
- Experience assessing sanctions exposure at both entity and group level
- Commercially minded, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical advice
- Confident engaging with senior stakeholders and influencing decision-making
- Collaborative and adaptable, with the ability to operate across multiple jurisdictions
What’s On Offer
- Full relocation package, including long-term accommodation provided
- Highly competitive salary with additional monthly and annual retention bonuses
- Private healthcare, travel allowances, and education support
- Access to discounted airfares, groceries, and entertainment
- Opportunity to work on complex, global trade and sanctions matters at scale
- A lean, high-performing team with direct access to senior leadership
If this is of interest, then please apply now or reach out to Freddie Bolwell for a confidential discussion.
