Company Secretary

They are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Company Secretary / Head, Legal

Location: Ikoyi, Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time
Industry: Banking

Job Description

• The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to Executive Management and the Board of Directors on legal, regulatory, governance, and compliance matters while supporting the Bank's strategic objectives.
• The Company Secretary/Head, Legal will be responsible for leading the Bank's legal, corporate governance, and company secretarial functions.
• The role provides strategic legal guidance, ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations, coordinates Board activities, and safeguards the Bank's legal and corporate interests.

Key Responsibilities
Legal Advisory and Corporate Legal Services:

• Ensure legal adequacy and compliance of business transactions, partnerships, and strategic initiatives.
• Provide legal support for corporate transactions, new product initiatives, and strategic partnerships.
• Identify legal risks and provide recommendations to mitigate exposure.
• Provide strategic and practical legal advice to Management on operational, commercial, employment, corporate, and regulatory matters.
• Coordinate litigation, dispute resolution, debt recovery, and engagements with external solicitors where necessary.
• Monitor changes in laws and regulations affecting the Bank and provide timely guidance to Management.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage contracts, agreements, policies, and other legal documentation.

Corporate Governance and Company Secretarial Functions:

• Coordinate Board, Committee, and Shareholders' meetings.
• Maintain statutory books, registers, and corporate records.
• Serve as Company Secretary to the Board of Directors and Board Committees.
• Coordinate Board induction programmes, governance training, and Board performance evaluations.
• Advise the Board and Management on corporate governance principles and best practices.
• Ensure proper implementation and documentation of Board resolutions.
• Prepare meeting notices, agendas, Board papers, minutes, and resolutions.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, including the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulations, and other statutory requirements.
• Coordinate regulatory filings, disclosures, and statutory submissions.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities, legal advisers, auditors, and other stakeholders on governance and compliance matters.
• Support internal compliance initiatives and governance reviews.

Risk Management and Internal Control:

• Assist in policy reviews and ensure legal compliance across business operations.
• Support the development and implementation of governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks.
• Collaborate with Internal Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management functions to strengthen organizational controls.
• Identify legal and regulatory risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.

Stakeholder Management:

• Represent the Bank on legal, governance, and regulatory matters where required.
• Facilitate communication between the Board, Management, shareholders, and regulators.
• Maintain effective relationships with regulators, external counsel, service providers, and other key stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

• Professional Affiliations: Membership of the Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria (CGIN) or a similar professional body will be an added advantage.
• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Law (LL.B) and Barrister-at-Law (B.L.), qualified to practice in Nigeria.
• Experience:
  • Experience supporting Boards of Directors and Executive Management teams is highly desirable.
  • 8–12 years post-call experience, preferably within banking, financial services, fintech, corporate legal practice, or another regulated institution.
  • Demonstrable experience in company secretarial practice and corporate governance.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of CAMA, banking regulations, corporate governance principles, employment law, contract law, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Core Competencies:

• Stakeholder Management & Communication Skills
• High Ethical Standards, Professional Integrity, & Confidentiality.
• Company Secretarial Practice & Board Administration
• Corporate & Commercial Law & Corporate Governance
• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
• Contract Drafting, Negotiation, & Legal Advisory