Head, Legal and Trust Services at a Reputable Company

A leading company in the Financial Services sector is looking to hire an experienced professional to join its team. As the Head of Legal &Trust Services, you will be responsible for managing trust accounts and ensure account administration complies with federal and state laws. You will also be responsible for ensuring company's compliance to all regulatory requirement and liaising with the relevant unit to ensure that requisite returns to the appropriate regulatory Agencies are submitted as at when due.

This role reports directly to the Group Managing Director and is critical to safeguarding the company’s legal and ethical standards while providing strategic legal support across the business.

• Oversee the team that performs the Trust and Legal Services Function as regards the Public, Private and Corporate Trust products in the Company
• Review and make decisions on the management and operation of Trusteeship arrangements across Public, Private and Corporate Trust products to ensure that the Legal procedures are being followed in accordance with the Guiding documents, applicable Regulations, Risk Management Framework, and the overall interests of all stakeholders on Trust Transactions
• Relationship management of HNI and Institutional Clients across Public, Private and Corporate Trust products as regards Legal and Trust Services

Key Responsibilities

• Trust and legal services as regards Debenture & Consortium Lending, Estate
• Planning, Bond Transactions and other future Trust products.
• Draft, review and proffer amendments where necessary on all guiding documents of Trust transactions.
• Monitor and ensure compliance of the Trustees’ duties and obligations to all existing commercial trust mandates in accordance with the provision and requirements of the ISA, SEC Rules, TIA, CAMA and other related regulations
• Extensive liaison with all transaction parties as regards documentation and correspondence.
• Management and administration of all Security documents in relation to Trust transactions.
• Peruse and review existing and prospecting transaction documents in consonance with other parties including but not limited to Trust Deeds, Prospectus, Programme and circular in State and Corporate Bond, Loan Syndication, Debenture, Legal Mortgage, Title documents, Trust deeds and Tripartite agreements.
• Liaise with the relevant units to ensure investment of funds under management on existing transactions are made in accordance with permitted investment guidelines and to ensure maximum return to the company’s finance
• Oversee asset and liability administration function of team members to ensure accurate records are being kept in conjunction with the Finance team.
• Manage relationships with customers to ensure customer satisfaction to facilitate future business involvement.

Professional / Academic Qualification

• LL. B Degree
• 8 years and above post-Call experience.
• Prior Trustee or custody experience is mandatory.
• LLM or ICSAN or similar professional qualification would be an added advantage
• SEC Sponsored Individual (required)
• Knowledge of capital market syndications

Skills / Competencies

Oral & Written Skills

• Power point Pitches and Client Presentations preparation
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to transmit information clearly
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Proficiency in legal research tools, Microsoft Office Suite, and other relevant software applications

Industry Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of Regulatory provisions applicable to Trust service providers with particular emphasis on all applicable laws governing Trusteeship
• Experience in legal practice, preferably with expertise in trust and fiduciary services
• Excellent knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards governing trusts, estates, and fiduciary arrangements
• Exceptional analytical, research, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply legal principles to complex situations
• Attention to detail and ability to identify and resolve legal and technical issues arising in relation to documentation of Trust Transactions