Omar N. Alsunaid

• Spearheaded the development of an in-house legal department, streamlining procedures and mitigating organizational risk. Advised senior executives on legal implications of strategic decisions and conducted legal/political risk assessments to evaluate compliance program effectiveness.
• Developed and implemented effective talent acquisition strategies, building high-performing teams. Supervised the management of high-tier governmental committees.
• Designed, implemented, and managed technology-focused compliance programs, including policies and procedures to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations. Coordinated regulatory change management, communicating complex requirements and identifying operational impacts. Conducted training sessions on compliance topics such as anti-corruption, conflicts of interest, and data privacy.
• Oversaw all aspects of digital project operations. Coordinated strategic initiatives to maintain compliance and executed related programs.
• Provided advisory support to stakeholders on a range of legal matters. Coordinated the production of scholarly papers and collaborated with external counsel.

· Successfully managed and led Governance and Compliance functions at ZATCA during a major organizational merger.

· Led a team of over 120 professionals and recruited high-caliber heads of departments.

· Served as Project Director for the restructuring of the General Department of Governance and Compliance.

· Restructured the General Department of Governance and Compliance to improve operational efficiency.

· Oversaw the committees’ governance framework across all levels of the organization, including operational, administrative, and board levels.

· Designed and implemented a new authority matrix post-merger to clarify delegation and enhance efficiency.

· Developed and implemented comprehensive governance and compliance policies for the merged organization.

· Defined departmental mandate and risk appetite, and developed strategic and operational plans to maximize contribution to ZATCA’s mission.

· The key participant in ZATCA achieving a 5-Star EFQM Certificate for Institutional Excellence, making ZATCA the top-ranked government agency in the Kingdom.

Contributed to ZATCA being ranked #1 in Digital Transformation in the Public Sector in 2023.

· Led and managed SEU's largest university branch (Dammam, 7000+ students) as the General Manager.

· Developed and executed branch strategy, optimizing resource allocation and shaping the work environment.

· Built a branch hierarchy and authority matrix, fostering efficient operations and clear reporting lines.

· Managed comprehensive branch operations encompassing administrative, financial, academic, student affairs, media, communication, investment, partnerships, and community services.

· Developed department heads and fostered a high-performance team environment.

· Served as a Trusted Advisor to University Presidents and Vice-Presidents, providing counsel on CSR, educational development, and policy formulation.

· Provided strategic guidance to university leadership on critical institutional matters and strategic initiatives.

· As Vice President of the Standing Committee of Governance & Policies Review, led the development and enhancement of internal policies and procedures.

· Analyzed university hierarchy from a governance perspective, advising leadership and departments on governance best practices.

· Contributed to the continuous review and improvement of university governance and policy frameworks.

· Selected by Royal Decree No. (65474) dated (23/12/1439 AH) to serve as a Committee Member in the first department for Income Tax Violations & Disputes in Dammam.

· Resolved violations, disputes, and claims related to public and private rights arising from tax law and GAZT instructions as a member of the Judicial Committee.

Effectively issued over 325 judicial resolutions as part of the Income Tax Violations & Disputes Committee

· Chaired and managed the Shariah Committee, directing meetings and ensuring effective operations.

· Represented the Shariah Committee before the Board of Directors and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment.

· Provided authoritative Islamic Shariah opinions and issued Jurisprudence decisions on finance products, contracts, and agreements.

· Verified and ensured company-wide adherence to Shariah Committee decisions and legal opinions (Fatwas).

· Advised and guided the company on matters of Shariah legitimacy in response to internal inquiries, ensuring ethical and compliant operations.

· Evaluated Shariah-compliant performance reports and made informed decisions based on findings from competent bodies.

· Prepared and submitted comprehensive reports on Shariah Committee activities, findings, and recommendations to the Board of Directors for strategic oversight.

· Managed and litigated numerous legal cases before Saudi general courts, demonstrating expertise in court procedures.

· Specialized in cases related to title deed requests, eminent domain, and temporary taking of property, showcasing niche legal knowledge.

· Provided comprehensive legal counsel and strategic advice to company clients and management on diverse legal matters.

· Served as a trusted legal advisor, offering actionable guidance to both clients and internal management.

· Drafted and reviewed legal memorandums and official ministerial letters, ensuring accuracy and legal compliance.

· Expertly reviewed legal documents to ensure adherence to Saudi legal standards and company requirements.

· Interpreted complex Saudi legislation, regulations, Royal Decrees, and Ministerial Resolutions pertinent to business operations.

· Demonstrated in-depth understanding of Saudi corporate law, corporate governance, property law (title deeds, eminent domain), enforcement law, and related regulations.

· Conducted in-depth legal research on government privatization, administrative orders, title deed processes, eminent domain laws, and corporate governance frameworks.

· Specialized research expertise in the legal aspects of government privatization and corporate governance in Saudi Arabia.

Governance Project Leadership: Led and participated in over 15 governance projects for diverse JSCs and LLCs, demonstrating broad industry experience.

Industry Diversification: Projects spanned various sectors, including Petrochemical, Construction, Automotive, F&B, Finance, Rentals, Investment, Oil & Gas, Real Estate, and Trading, showcasing adaptability.

Corporate Governance Policy Development: Drafted comprehensive corporate governance policies and charters, establishing robust governance frameworks.

Family Constitution Development: Developed family constitution policies and charters, addressing unique governance needs for family-owned businesses.

Authority Matrix Development: Developed administrative and financial Authority Matrices, streamlining organizational structure and decision-making processes.

Board Member Advisory: Advised Board Members on legal and governance matters, including conflict of interest, board secretary roles, best practices, governance committees, and CSR.

Governance Awareness Training: Delivered numerous workshops to shareholders, board members, and executives, promoting an understanding of governance policies and best practices.

Contractual Agreement Review & Development: Reviewed and developed a variety of contractual agreements for companies, ensuring legal soundness, and business efficacy.

• PH.D. Abdurahman Alfaleh Law Office (Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, Dec 2006 - Mar 2008): Developed foundational legal skills, including case mediation, file preparation, inheritance dispute resolution, and client record management across multiple jurisdictions. Represented clients in family cases and court sessions.
• PH.D. Osama Al Bakhurji Law Office (Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, Jan 2010 - Jun 2010): Gained expertise in commercial law, representing clients before the Board of Grievance. Contributed to establishing foreign companies in Saudi Arabia and honed research skills to solve complex commercial issues. Further developed skills in preparing court files and representing clients.
• Monroe County Public Defender's Office (Bloomington, IN, USA, May 2011 - Sep 2011): Conducted legal research in criminal and family law, attended court proceedings, and developed defense memorandum writing skills. Engaged with Monroe County judges to discuss cases and judicial career paths.
• Maurer School of Law, Tenant Assistant Project (Bloomington, IN, USA, Jan 2011 - May 2011): Provided direct legal representation and advice to pro se tenants facing eviction. Honed skills in legal analysis, case presentation, and advocacy to achieve favorable outcomes for clients.
• Sture Legal Services LLC (Indianapolis, IN, USA, Jun 2015 - Sep 2015): Trained in litigation for federal and state cases and mediation for diverse disputes, including contracts, leases, small business ownership, and employment issues.