Description

Our client is a foremost firm in the Marine Transportation Sector of the economy, with local and international repute, situated in Lagos, Nigeria. The organisation has vast experience managing, enhancing, and improving navigation opportunities for the country's waterways.

We are looking to recruit a Head of the Legal department who will provide strategic legal guidance, ensure compliance with laws and regulations, and manage legal risks to protect the organisation. The Head of Legal is a key advisor to senior leadership, ensuring that legal considerations are integrated into business decisions while safeguarding the interests and maintaining ethical standards in the organisation.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Legal Leadership

Provide expert legal advice and counsel to the executive team and project sponsors on various legal matters.
Align legal strategies with the overall business goals and objectives to drive growth and protect the interests of the organisation.

Risk Management and Compliance

Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks across all business areas.
Ensure that the organisation complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards (e.g., labour laws, data protection regulations, corporate governance).
Oversee internal compliance programs and ensure effective implementation of legal policies and procedures.

Contract Management

Oversee the drafting, reviewing, and negotiation of contracts, ensuring favourable terms and mitigating legal risks.
Establish systems for managing contracts and ensuring that agreements are aligned with the company’s legal and business requirements.

Dispute Resolution and Litigation

Manage litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution, preventing and defending legal claims.
Work with external counsel as necessary and develop strategies to minimise litigation costs and risk exposure.

Corporate Governance

Ensure robust governance frameworks adhere to legal and regulatory requirements for the company’s operations and board activities.
Assist the board of directors in ensuring proper governance practices and ethical standards.

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and Business Transactions

Provide legal guidance on M&A activities, joint ventures, and other business transactions to ensure compliance and protect the company's interests.
Oversee due diligence, contract negotiation, and post-transaction integration from a legal perspective.

Team Management and Development

Lead and manage the legal department, ensuring the team has the expertise, resources, and support to address all legal issues effectively.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, professional development, and ethical responsibility within the legal team.

Ethics and Integrity

Uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, ensuring that the company operates with integrity and transparency.
Develop and enforce the company’s legal and ethical policies, promoting a culture of compliance and corporate responsibility.

External Relations

Maintain relationships with external legal firms, regulatory bodies, and industry associations.
Stay informed on changes in legislation, regulations, and industry standards that may impact the business.
Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

A Bachelor of law degree (LL. B)
Ten years legal work experience
Strong relationship & communication skills - they - should be able to liaise with all C-suite and board members at a deeper level
Solid understanding of risk management in today's business environment
Legal affairs (institutional)
Performance-based service contracts
Experience supporting business objectives internationally across multiple countries.

Competencies Required

Communication skills
Comprehensive legal knowledge
Strategic thinking and Business Acumen
Dispute Resolution
Corporate Governance
Communication and Interpersonal
Cultural Awareness
Critical thinking
Emotional Intelligence
Conflict Resolution
Attention to textual details
Negotiation Skill
Analytical Skill