Head Legal / Company Secretary at Deloitte Human Capital Consulting West Africa

On behalf of our client in the financial sector, we are recruiting for the role of Head Lega/ Company Secretary. The successful candidate will oversee all legal and governance matters, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and providing expert legal advice to support the growth and success of the organization and its subsidiaries.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to the Board of Directors on governance matters, ensuring adherence to best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Organize and manage board and committee meetings, prepare agendas, minutes, and resolutions, and ensure compliance with corporate governance standards.
• Monitor changes in relevant laws and regulations affecting the financial services sector and ensure the organization’s compliance.
• Develop and implement compliance policies and procedures across the holding company and subsidiaries.
• Identify legal and regulatory risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Collaborate with risk management teams to ensure a comprehensive approach to risk mitigation.
• Oversee the drafting, negotiation, and review of contracts, agreements, and legal documents, including those related to mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and client engagements.
• Ensure that all contractual arrangements align with FSDH’s strategic goals and legal requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date corporate records, including articles of incorporation, bylaws, and other corporate documents.
• Ensure timely filing of statutory and regulatory documents with relevant authorities.
• Provide legal advice and counsel to the Board of Directors, executive management, and subsidiary leaders on a wide range of legal matters.
• Manage external legal counsel when necessary and monitor legal expenses.
• Organize training programs on legal and ethical matters to employees, promoting a culture of compliance and integrity.
• Handle or oversee the resolution of legal disputes, including litigation and arbitration, and work to protect the organization’s interests.
• Ensure compliance with data protection and privacy laws, safeguarding sensitive information and client data.
• Prepare and submit regulatory reports as required by relevant financial authorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with regulatory authorities, external legal firms, and industry associations.

Requirements

• Minimum of Bachelor of Law Degree
• Barrister of Law degree from an accredited law school and active membership in a relevant bar association.
• A master’s degree or other relevant professional qualification is a plus.
• Proven experience in a senior legal role within the financial services sector, including experience with financial holding companies and their subsidiaries.
• Minimum of 10 years post-call experience in legal or related areas within the financial services sector, of which 5 years must have been at a senior management level.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic legal counsel to senior executives and the Board.
• Strong understanding of financial services laws and regulations, corporate governance, contract law, and compliance requirements specific to the financial industry
• In-depth understanding of regulatory compliance requirements. Should be well acquainted with the regulatory environment.
• Knowledge of global regulatory environment/practices is preferred.
• Expertise in corporate law, including company formations, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance best practices.
• Proficiency in handling legal disputes, litigation, and arbitration proceedings, and the ability to protect the organization’s interests.
• Skill in identifying, assessing, and mitigating legal and regulatory risks that could impact the organization.
• Other requirements are excellent communication skills, negotiation skills, strategic thinking, stakeholder management e.t.c