Job Description
The Group Chief Legal Officer will provide strategic legal leadership across the Group and its subsidiaries, ensuring that the Group’s business activities, transactions and operations are conducted within applicable legal and regulatory frameworks.
The role will serve as a key adviser to the Group Managing Director, Executive Management and Board on legal, regulatory, governance, commercial and risk matters, while providing legal oversight across the Group’s interests in upstream and downstream oil & gas, construction, aviation fuelling, and laboratory & diagnostics.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and lead the Group’s overall legal strategy in alignment with the Group’s business objectives and growth plans.
- Provide strategic legal advice to the Group Managing Director, Executive Management and Board on corporate, commercial, regulatory and business matters.
- Provide legal oversight and advisory support across all subsidiaries and business units within the Group.
- Review, draft and negotiate major commercial agreements, contracts, partnerships, financing arrangements, procurement agreements and other strategic transactions.
- Lead legal support for mergers and acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, restructuring, business expansions and other significant corporate transactions.
- Oversee the Group’s corporate governance framework, including Board and shareholder matters, statutory obligations and governance documentation.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, licences and industry-specific requirements across the Group’s different business interests.
- Identify, assess and proactively manage legal and regulatory risks arising from the Group’s operations and commercial activities.
- Oversee the management of litigation, disputes, claims and other legal proceedings, including the engagement and management of external counsel where required.
- Establish and maintain appropriate legal policies, procedures, controls and contract-management frameworks across the Group.
- Advise on regulatory developments and their potential impact on the Group’s businesses and recommend appropriate actions.
- Provide legal guidance on employment, procurement, intellectual property, data protection, competition and other matters relevant to the Group’s operations.
- Manage and develop the Group’s internal legal function and coordinate external legal advisers and law firms.
- Review material legal risks associated with proposed business decisions and provide commercially practical recommendations to Executive Management.
- Ensure appropriate legal due diligence is undertaken for major transactions, investments, partnerships and new business opportunities.
- Maintain strong relationships with regulators, government agencies, external counsel and other relevant stakeholders where necessary.
- Provide regular reports to the Group Managing Director and Board on significant legal, regulatory, governance and litigation matters.
Requirements
- LL.B degree and Bachelor of Laws (BL); must be called to the Nigerian Bar.
- Minimum 15 years post-call experience, with significant experience in senior legal leadership roles.
- Proven experience in corporate and commercial law within a Group, holding company, large corporation or similarly complex organisation.
- Strong experience advising senior executives and Boards on strategic legal and commercial matters.
- Demonstrable experience in commercial transactions, contracts, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, litigation and corporate restructuring.
- Experience within oil & gas, construction, aviation, healthcare/diagnostics or other highly regulated sectors will be an advantage.
- Experience handling M&A, joint ventures, financing, investments or other complex corporate transactions is highly desirable.
- Previous experience leading a legal team and managing external legal advisers.
Core Competencies
- Strategic and commercial legal judgement
- Corporate governance and regulatory expertise
- Contract negotiation and transaction management
- Legal risk management
- Executive and Board advisory
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills
- Business acumen
- Leadership and stakeholder management
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- High level of integrity, discretion and confidentiality
Requirements
LL.B degree and qualification as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (BL). 8–12+ years post-call experience, preferably with a strong commercial/corporate legal background. Experience advising businesses, senior management and/or Boards on commercial and strategic matters. Strong experience in contract drafting, negotiation, corporate governance and regulatory compliance. Experience working with a diversified group, holding company or businesses operating across multiple sectors is highly desirable. Exposure to oil & gas, construction, aviation, healthcare or other regulated industries is an advantage. Strong commercial awareness and ability to provide practical, business-focused legal advice. Excellent negotiation, analytical, research and communication skills. High level of integrity, discretion and professional judgment. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
