Head of Yachting ( Legal )

A reputable client of ours specialised within Corporate Services, is looking to onboard a seasoned Lawyer, to take on the role of Head of Yachting, and join their team of professionals. The designated person will be responsible for leading, developing and managing the Firm’s yachting practice within a regulated Maltese corporate services environment, and responsibilities are as follows:

Duties:

• Develop and implement the strategic direction of the yachting function, serving as the principal internal and external legal expert on yacht-related matters.
• Lead and mentor the legal and yachting operations team, ensuring quality control and staff development, and providing technical guidance and supervision to all colleagues involved in yachting matters.
• Establish a strong reputation for technical quality, responsiveness, commercial understanding and regulatory robustness.
• Support the development of the Firm’s business, including assistance in identifying service opportunities, relevant client demand, suitable structuring solutions and the operational framework 
• Advise on acquisition and sale transactions involving yachts, including title review, ownership structuring, registration implications and transaction support
• Provide advice on financing arrangements, security interests, mortgages, and lender-related requirements in connection with yacht acquisitions and ownership structures.
• Oversee all matters relating to yacht registration and renewals, whether private or commercial, and manage de-registration, transfer of flag, or closure of ownership structures where required.
• Ensure that yachting-related business is undertaken in line with all applicable Maltese laws, maritime requirements, internal procedures and the compliance obligations applicable 
• Monitor changes to relevant legal and regulatory frameworks affecting yachts, yacht-owning entities, leasing arrangements, and beneficial ownership, ensuring internal processes are updated accordingly.
• Act as the senior relationship lead for yachting clients and related intermediaries, building trusted and long lasting relationships with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and various stakeholders
• Coordinate with other internal service lines to deliver integrated solutions involving corporate, tax, and governance matters.

Requirements

• Must have solid knowledge of Maltese and international structures for the ownership and operation of private and commercial yachts.
• A minimum of ten years of Legal experience in the yachting sector.
• Would be highly familiar with Yacht registration, renewals and registry formalities, particularly under the Maltese flag, but not only.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills in Engkish
• Strong knowledge of Income tax, VAT and structuring considerations relevant to yacht ownership, operation, leasing and chartering,
• Additional maritime law, shipping law, tax, or trust/corporate structuring exposure would be considered an asset.

Education and Experience

• Must be a fully qualified and locally warranted Lawyer