Corporate Legal Manager (Finance Industry) at Nicole Sinclair Consulting

The Corporate Legal Manager will lead and oversee all legal, regulatory, and corporate governance matters of the organization. The role is responsible for ensuring full compliance with financial sector regulations, managing legal risks, supervising contract and transaction documentation, overseeing litigation, and advising executive management on strategic and operational decisions with legal implications.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisory & Regulatory Compliance

• Advise executive management and business units on all legal and regulatory matters affecting operations.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including BOFIA, CAMA 2020, CBN Guidelines, SEC Rules, NDIC, PENCOM, NAICOM, and NDPR.
• Monitor new laws, regulations, and circulars, and implement internal compliance frameworks.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies (CBN, SEC, NDIC, FRC, NFIU, etc.) on compliance and inspection matters.

Team Dispute Resolution & Litigation

• Manage all litigation, arbitration, and debt recovery cases involving the organization.
• Supervise external counsel, monitor case progress, and manage associated legal costs.
• Develop strategies for dispute prevention and effective resolution.
• Represent the company at tribunals, regulatory hearings, or court proceedings when required.

Corporate Governance

• Ensure compliance with corporate governance codes and CBN governance standards.
• Support the Board of Directors in conducting meetings, preparing resolutions, and maintaining statutory records.
• File all required statutory returns with CAC, CBN, and other relevant authorities.
• Ensure directors and senior officers comply with fit-and-proper and disclosure requirements.

 Strategic Advisory & Risk Management

• Provide strategic legal input on corporate initiatives, partnerships, investments, and mergers/acquisitions.
• Identify and mitigate potential legal and regulatory risks in the company’s operations.
• Contribute to business strategy sessions as a member of the executive management team.
• Lead internal legal awareness and compliance training across departments.

 Leadership & Administration

• Lead, mentor, and develop the legal team to ensure professional excellence and operational efficiency.
• Oversee departmental budgeting, external counsel management, and performance metrics.
• Foster a culture of compliance, integrity, and proactive legal risk management.

Qualification/ Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.B) from a recognized university.
• (Barrister-at-Law)from the Nigerian Law School.
• Master’s Degree (LL.M or MBA)
• Minimum of 15 years post-call legal experience, with at least 8 years in a senior management role within the finance, banking or investment industry.
• Proven experience handling CBN, SEC, and NDIC regulatory matters.
• Strong knowledge of commercial, banking, and corporate law, as well as governance and compliance frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in contract negotiation, corporate governance, litigation management, and regulatory liaison.