Corporate Legal Counsel at British American Tobacco

ROLE POSITIONING AND OBJECTIVES

As Corporate Counsel in a dynamic and fast-paced team of other experienced team members across BAT’s Sub-Saharan Africa Area, you will provide proactive legal advisory and support to internal stakeholders and corporate business units with a focus on Nigeria. You will act as Company Secretary to the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (Limited by Guaranty).

WHAT YOU WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR

• Provide legal and commercially driven counselling and support to internal stakeholders to drive decisions and strategic direction as the Business evolves.
• Provide legal support and optimal Company Secretarial services to the Board and Management of British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (Limited by Guaranty)
• Draft, review contractual documentation, renewal, negotiation and develop where applicable standard formats, for the benefit of the Business unit to ensure that the Company’s interests are adequately protected.
• Participate actively in problem-solving, decision-making in assigned areas of Business while consistently working to minimise and manage commercial and legal risks.
• Advise and support on corporate and commercial projects, finance regulatory audits, bank guarantees, Indemnities, corporate structuring, finance, treasury, tax & excise.
• Provide informed legal advisory on various employment-related matters (not limited to employee dispute resolution, employer’s obligations, disciplinary proceedings) based on applicable laws, regulations and global best practices.
• Support the Litigation Counsel in effective management of the Litigation portfolio.
• Review correspondence prepared by internal stakeholders in response to requests from Regulators and government agencies (where necessary)
• Actively propose and support legal projects and initiatives as legal department’s value-add to the rest of the Business
• Demonstrate excellence in own work by improving technical and managerial skills identified and agreed in performance and development reviews
• Supporting connection with the wider legal team and related core-functions across Sub-Saharan Africa to contribute to the success of the Legal Affairs and CORA Functions.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE

• Qualified Lawyer called to the Nigerian Bar with at least 5 (five) years relevant experience in a Commercial Law Firm and/or as an in-house Counsel.
• Evidently visible written and oral communication skills.
• Litigation experience will be an advantage
• In-depth understanding of legal and regulatory issues as they relate to industry practice, opportunities, employment-related, and Corporate Governance compliance requirements
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office tools and other Artificial Intelligence tools that foster collaboration and team development.
• Solutions driven and commercial approach to Legal Advisory and support to internal stakeholders
• Manage or support in developing, tracking and managing legal team’s budget and budget spend.
• Regulatory and/or government agency engagements
• Worked across a wide range of issues demonstrating prioritisation, pragmatic solution-oriented advice, and sound commercial judgement.
• Ability to explain and interpret legal issues being mindful of the audience.
• High degree of ability to build relationships, influence and work collaboratively across the Business units encouraging trust and confidence while working with a diverse, multi-skilled stakeholders.
• High degree of self motivation, initiative and out-of-the-box thinking