Legal Manager at Rand Merchant Bank

Job Description

• The purpose of the Legal Manager role is to provide strong legal leadership and oversight, ensuring that the business operates in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. The role is responsible for identifying, managing, and mitigating legal risk, delivering sound legal advice on transactions and products, and supporting the organization’s commitment to the highest standards of ethics, governance, and regulatory conduct.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

Legal Advisory & Risk Management

• Provide timely, accurate, and pragmatic legal advice to business stakeholders on transactions, products, and operational matters.
• Ensure compliance, in both letter and spirit, with all applicable laws and regulations, including company law, securities regulation, AML, CFT, and sanctions.
• Proactively identify, assess, and manage legal risks at a country and business level, ensuring appropriate controls and mitigation strategies are in place.
• Prepare clear and insightful legal risk reports, highlighting key risks, trends, and recommended actions.

Governance, Compliance & Regulatory Engagement

• Support the implementation and adherence to Group legal and risk policies, ensuring consistent application within the country.
• Partner closely with Risk and Compliance to strengthen legal governance and control frameworks.
• Engage proactively with regulators and internal governance forums to support regulatory trust, transparency, and ethical conduct.
• Contribute to the country perspective in Group risk governance and policy discussions.

Transactional & Product Support

• Provide legal support for transactions, products, and initiatives, ensuring risks are identified and managed appropriately.
• Support internal product development through the relevant product approval processes.
• Apply deep technical knowledge of business products to anticipate legal implications and advise the business accordingly.
• Ensure effective turnaround times, quality delivery, and strong legal controls in all transactional work.

External Counsel & Cost Management

• Manage relationships with external legal counsel, including instructing, negotiating fees, and monitoring performance.
• Drive cost discipline by reducing reliance on external counsel through the development of strong internal legal capability.

People, Capability & Stakeholder Management

• Provide leadership within the Legal team, promoting a culture of legal awareness and proactive risk management across the business.
• Develop and maintain a legal training plan for the Legal team and key stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Foster an open, cooperative environment that supports sound decision‑making and ethical conduct.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a legal role, preferably within financial services, banking, or a regulated environment.
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent legal qualification (LLM would be an added advantage).
• Admission to the Nigerian Bar as a Solicitor and Advocate.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks, governance, and legal risk management.
• Experience advising on transactions, products, and business initiatives.

General Competencies:

• Sound legal judgement and strong analytical skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Ability to manage complexity and competing priorities.
• Strong risk awareness and governance mindset.
• Commercially pragmatic approach to legal advice.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and professionalism.