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