Energy, Infrastructure, Project and Asset Finance Associate - Dubai

We have an exciting opening for an experienced Banking & Finance Solicitor to join our team in Dubai.

About us

CMS is a Future Facing firm with more than 80 offices in over 45 countries and 5,800+ lawyers worldwide. We combine deep local market understanding with a global perspective. We are passionate about building strong relationships with our clients, our people, and the communities we work in.

We take a bold, dynamic, and agile approach to ensure our clients are able to face the future with confidence. We are driven by emerging technologies such as generative AI and readily embrace the possibilities it opens up for developing new and better ways of working.  Our aim is to inspire, impact and support our clients and our people, helping them to maximize their potential and thrive.

About the role

Working primarily with lead partners specialising in Energy, Islamic and Asset Finance you will assist in driving this growth area of the wider Energy, Infrastructure, Project and Asset Finance (EIPAF) group. 

You will work on a variety of debt and leasing transactions related to a variety of assets and Energy & Infrastructure projects. You will have the opportunity to liaise with other CMS offices, practice areas and local counsel around the world.  

We act on lending transactions across various sectors and product areas.  Particular areas of focus include asset related financing involving real estate, ships, aircraft and project assets or complex structured transactions.

In this role, you can expect to get involved in a variety of work including: 

• large energy, waste, water and infrastructure projects around the Middle East
• complex Islamic finance structures acting for Shariah compliant banks and other market parties
• asset financing of ships, aircraft and rolling stock

About you

We will invest in your ongoing training and development to support your professional goals and help you to thrive in your role from day one.  Our opportunities are open to all suitably qualified applicants, so if you have a background in project finance and are keen to experience a wide variety of work (but with an opportunity to specialise if preferred), please get in touch.

You will:

• -        Be a qualified solicitor, ideally between 3-6PQE.
• -        Be able to demonstrate an interest in, and enthusiasm for project finance
• -        Have gained good experience in a recognized finance team, with strong project and asset finance experience beneficial
• -        Have excellent written and oral communication skills
• -        Have a strong academic background
• -        Demonstrate the ambition to succeed
• -        Understand the importance of and have a commitment to business development and client relationship management
• -        Be commercially orientated with a commitment to innovation
• -        Have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• -        Be well-organised with strong administration and time management skills and the ability and drive to meet demanding deadlines
• -        Arabic speaking will be advantageous but not essential
• -        Experience within UAE and the GCC is also preferred.

What’s in it for you?

We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:

•    Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)
•    Flexible, hybrid working policy
•    Generous bonus scheme
•    Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)
•    Holiday exchange scheme
•    Private medical insurance
•    Enhanced parental leave
•    Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.

Equal opportunities

At CMS, we place diversity and inclusion at the centre of our culture and the heart of our organisation. As a firm we recognise, celebrate, and embrace the diverse talent our society has to offer because we know that to solve big problems, we need the best and brightest minds available to us.  In support of this goal, we commit to actively breaking down barriers which stand in the way of those from diverse backgrounds and play our part in levelling the playing field. 
 
As a Future Facing Firm, we strongly believe that a career in law should be open to people from all walks of life, because not only does diversity of thought and experience make our firm a stronger and more sustainable business, but it also makes it a more rewarding place to work.
 
When recruiting, we prioritise attracting talented people and we actively promote a flexible working environment which enables all our team members to thrive. If you see a role you are interested in, but don’t feel you meet 100% of the criteria we encourage you to still consider making an application. We also welcome applications from those who may be looking to return to the workforce after a career break. 
 
We are proud to say our leadership in creating an inclusive working culture has been celebrated and recognised externally, including being listed for a number of years in the Times Top 50 Employers for Women and the Social Mobility Index.
 
We are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer, and we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities, whether visible or invisible. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity throughout our recruitment process and in every element of the employee life cycle. If you require assistance, or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements or adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please contact Steve Paine at TalentAcquisition@cms-cmno.com who will be happy to support you.

Ready to apply? Here are the next steps.

We look forward to receiving your application online via the CMS careers site. Please contact our Talent Acquisition team if you have any questions. 

Please note that we have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.