Legal Manager/General Counsel at WTS Energy

Job Summary

Responsible for ensuring the legal health of the Company, the provision of legal advisory services across the organization, and ensuring that all business is conducted within provisions of legislations, and regulations defined by supervisory agencies and the corporate governance framework whilst realizing business objectives, preserving corporate integrity, and mitigating and minimizing legal and financial exposure.
 
Main Responsibilities

• Act as a key resource and provide expert legal advice to the Board, CEO, Executive Team, and All Heads of Company Functions on regulatory compliance standards, legal and ethical behavior, etc.
• Act as Secretary to the Company and Board, including its committees, and guide the Board to function by company law and good corporate governance practices.
• Represent and advise the CEO, Executive Team, and the Board on all forms of litigation, legal proceedings, and conflict resolution including arbitrations, mediations, and negotiations.
• Provide guidance and advice on the current interpretation of local and global regulations, legislations, conventions, etc. Manage changes as they apply to the Company’s operations, image, and reputation.
• Guide the Company’s Investment Management team with advice on the potential impacts of changes in local and global regulations and legislation on emerging/available business goals, aspirations, and opportunities.
• Lead developing and implementing a Corporate Governance framework that ensures stakeholder integrity is protected and optimally managed.
• Participate as a disciplinary committee member.
• Champion best-in-class approach in selecting analytical materials for complex commercial and contracting transactions with multiple external (inter) national parties and significant financial impact.
• Work at the strategic level in M&A projects, deciding on the appropriate legal documentation to provide M&A projects from the pre-deal stage of valuation through to the post-merger/acquisition integration.
• Lead/guide contract negotiations with Government/regulators within the relevant domain area, balancing the interests and policy direction of the Government and the long-term implication for the Company.
• Provide sound legal advice and support for strategic commercial operations e.g. custody transfer, crude transfer, handling and unitisation agreements, debt restructuring, gas agreements, etc., and general business advisory to guide the development, interpretation, and review of all Company’s corporate policies.
• Responsible for the professionalism of the legal staff cadre and maintaining and managing an optimal and cost-effective activity/portfolio split between internal and external (local and foreign) counsels.
• Proactively identify areas of high/critical business and legal risks; ensuring their inclusion in the risk management framework; and that viable and resourced contingency plans exist for identified elements.
• Champion strategic legal advisory for supply chain policies, process, and compliance framework through standard contracting clauses/templates and procedures and vendor performance agreements.
• Guide strategic management of investor/stakeholder relationships and correspondence with investors, banks, regulators, analysts, rating agencies, media, etc. to build and protect brand value.
• Provide steers to business teams in managing change arising from new business processes, organizational structure, and strategy reviews. Provide best-in-class advice on relevant laws to guide the change process.

Educational Qualifications & Experience

• A degree in Law is required. An MBA, Master’s degree in Law, or Ph.D in Law will be an added advantage.
• 15+ years of post-call experience
• 5 years of experience in a managerial capacity 
• Min. 8 years of experience in Exploration & Production operations
• Min. 8 years of working experience with an International Oil firm
• Must be qualified to practise as a lawyer in Nigeria
• Member, Nigerian Bar Association 
• Legal experience in Oil & Gas across geographies