Company Secretary & Head, Legal Services at FITC

Job Summary

• We are seeking a highly experienced professional to join our leadership team as Company Secretary & Head, Legal Services — a strategic role interfacing directly with the Board of Directors and providing executive legal leadership across the organization.

Role Overview

• The Company Secretary & Head, Legal Services serves as a principal governance advisor to the Board of Directors and Executive Management, ensuring full compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, corporate governance best practices, and legal frameworks.
• The role also leads FITC’s Legal and Compliance functions, safeguarding the institution’s interests, mitigating legal risks, and strengthening its corporate integrity and reputation.

Key Responsibilities
Board Secretariat and Governance:

• Serve as Secretary to the Board of Directors and all Board Committees, ensuring effective coordination of meetings, timely documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and implement corporate governance policies in line with statutory and regulatory frameworks.
• Ensure timely preparation and circulation of Board papers, meeting notices, and resolutions.
• Maintain the statutory registers and ensure compliance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) filings, and other relevant legislation.
• Advise the Board and Management on governance structures, board evaluation, and director development.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance:

• Provide legal advisory to the MD/CEO, Executive Management, and Board on organizational decisions and contracts.
• Review, draft, and negotiate all legal agreements, including partnerships, vendor contracts, and strategic collaborations.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulatory standards, and internal policies.
• Support FITC’s enterprise risk and compliance framework to ensure proactive identification and mitigation of risks.
• Interface with regulators, external counsel, and relevant government agencies on all legal and compliance matters.

Leadership and Strategy:

• Provide strategic leadership and supervision of the Legal and Compliance function, ensuring operational efficiency and alignment with FITC’s strategic goals.
• Lead initiatives that promote corporate ethics, transparency, and sustainability.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and business partners.
• Serve as a key resource in Board-level and Executive projects requiring legal or governance insight.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Timely and accurate facilitation of Board and Committee meetings.
• Quality and compliance with legal and governance documentation.
• Level of organizational risk exposure and mitigation effectiveness.
• Adherence to statutory filing deadlines and regulatory obligations.
• Quality of legal advice and business enablement outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Barrister-at-Law (BL); a Master’s degree in Law, Finance, or Business Management is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 10 years relevant post-call experience, with at least 5 years in a senior legal or company secretarial role in a reputable organization or professional services firm.
• Membership of relevant professional bodies such as ICSAN, SCGN,NBA,or equivalent is mandatory.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance, regulatory frameworks, and enterprise risk management.
• Proven experience interfacing with Boards of Directors and senior executives.

Core Competencies:

• Exceptional governance advisory, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication, drafting, and negotiation skills.
• High ethical standards and sound professional judgment.
• Leadership capability with the ability to influence and collaborate at all organizational levels.
• Excellent knowledge of Nigerian corporate, commercial, and regulatory law.
• Strategic orientation and attention to detail.