Legal Manager at JMG

Job Summary

• The Legal Manager (Commercial Contracts) will be responsible for providing comprehensive legal support to the company with a primary focus on commercial and contract law. This role involves overseeing the end-to-end contract lifecycle, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and managing a wide range of commercial agreements. The ideal candidate will act as a strategic partner to the business, ensuring legal compliance, mitigating risks, and protecting the company's interests while facilitating commercial objectives .

Key Responsibilities

Contract Management & Drafting

• Draft, review, revise, and finalize a broad spectrum of commercial contracts, including but not limited to service agreements, vendor and procurement contracts, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), memoranda of understanding (MOUs), lease deeds, consultancy agreements, and letters of intent (LOIs) .
• Ensure all contracts comply with legal requirements, company policies, and industry best practices .
• Develop, maintain, and standardize a repository of contract templates and standard clauses to improve efficiency and consistency .

Negotiation & Advisory

• Lead negotiations with external parties (clients, vendors, partners) to secure favorable terms and conditions .
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as procurement, operations, finance, and sales to understand business needs and provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice .
• Identify and advise on legal and commercial risks associated with transactions and propose effective risk mitigation strategies .

Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Monitor compliance with contractual obligations, ensuring all parties adhere to agreed terms and conditions .
• Stay abreast of changes in relevant laws and regulations (e.g., data protection, labor laws, company law) that impact the business and its contracts .
• Ensure contracts comply with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements .

Dispute Resolution & Litigation Management

• Assist in resolving contract-related disputes through analysis, negotiation, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms .
• Manage pre-litigation strategies, including drafting and responding to legal notices .
• Coordinate with and manage external solicitors on any litigation or arbitration matters to ensure cost-effective and timely resolution .

Governance & Process Improvement

• Establish and maintain a robust contract management system for the safe custody, retrieval, and tracking of contracts, including key milestones, renewals, and expiries 
• Assist in the review and development of internal legal policies and procedures to ensure alignment with corporate goals and legal standards .
• Conduct training sessions for internal teams on contract management best practices, legal risks, and compliance awareness .

Qualifications and Requirements

Educational Background

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a recognized university.
• Barrister at Law (B.L.) and called to the Nigerian Bar.
• A Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Commercial Law, Corporate Law, or a related field is an added advantage .

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 7-10 years of post-qualification experience (PQE) in commercial legal practice .
• Proven experience in a corporate in-house legal department or a reputable commercial law firm .
• Demonstrable experience in drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts .

Core Competencies and Skills

• Legal Expertise: In-depth knowledge of Nigerian contract law, commercial transactions, company law, and relevant regulatory frameworks .
• Commercial Awareness: A strong understanding of business operations and the ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives .
• Negotiation & Drafting: Exceptional skills in drafting precise legal documents and negotiating favorable outcomes .
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Excellent ability to analyze complex issues, assess risks, and provide clear, actionable legal advice .
• Communication: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into simple language for non-legal stakeholders .
• Ethics & Integrity: High level of professional integrity and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion .
• Organization: Strong attention to detail, ability to manage multiple priorities, and proficiency in maintaining organized legal records and database.