Legal and Company Secretarial Manager at First Ally

Experience Level: 

6-8 years post-call

Role Summary:

The Legal and Company Secretarial Manager will manage corporate legal matters and ensure governance compliance for the organisation. This role includes providing company secretarial services to the Board of Directors and its committees.

The Legal and Company Secretarial Manager will provide timely, functional, relevant and effective support to the Group Head Legal/Company Secretary and manage Legal analysts and associates across the Group.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide support to the Group Head, Legal/Company Secretary in ensuring that all contractual relationships between any of the First Ally companies and counterparties are accurately captured in written agreements.
• Under the supervision of the Group Head, Legal/Company Secretary, prepare and review contracts, legal documentation, memoranda of understanding, and other similar documents between any of the First Ally companies and counterparties, ensuring such documents are free of errors.
• In consultation with the Group Head, Legal/Company Secretary, ensure all statutory filings required to be made to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, the Corporate Affairs Commission, are completed as and when due for First Ally and its relevant subsidiaries.
• Assist the Group Head, Legal/Company Secretary in providing effective company secretarial services to First Ally and its subsidiaries as applicable.
• Assist in the planning and coordination of Annual General Meetings and other general meetings for First Ally companies.
• Proactively manage First Ally\'s litigation portfolio and follow up with external lawyers handling the cases for effective monitoring. Ensure that all litigation files are updated with all processes drafted and filed in connection with each case.
• Proactively manage First Ally\'s Intellectual Property portfolio and follow up with trademark attorneys handling the portfolio for effective monitoring. Ensure an updated trademark schedule is maintained.
• Proactively manage First Ally\'s property portfolio, ensuring that all titles, tenancies, and leases are valid and subsisting.
• Manage the company’s corporate governance structure, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Provide legal advisory services on corporate finance, mergers, acquisitions, and other transactions.
• Draft, review and negotiate legal documents, including agreements, and policies.
• Serve as Company Secretary, preparing and managing Board and committee meetings, agendas, minutes, and resolutions.
• Monitor changes in relevant laws and regulations, advising the company on their impact.
• Oversee the management and safekeeping of corporate records and statutory filings.

Qualifications, Skills and Attributes:

• 6-8 years of experience in legal advisory and company secretarial roles, preferably within the financial sector.
• Strong knowledge of Nigerian company law, SEC regulations, and corporate governance best practices.
• Proactive and capable of working independently
• Strong legal research and drafting skills, with exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication, people management, and relationship-building skills
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple tasks efficiently
• Ability to navigate and balance both legal and commercial considerations
• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Collaborative team player with a focus on achieving collective goals