Legal Officer / Recovery Manager at Elizabeth Maddeux

Job Description

• The Legal Officer / Recovery Manager is responsible for overseeing the organization’s legal affairs and managing the recovery of delinquent and non-performing loan portfolios.
• The role ensures strict compliance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and internal credit policies while minimizing credit losses and safeguarding the institution’s legal and financial interests.
• This position plays a critical role in enforcing loan agreements, managing litigation processes, supporting credit risk management, and providing legal advisory services across the organization.

Key Responsibilities
Loan Recovery & Credit Risk Management

• Develop and implement effective recovery strategies for overdue and non-performing accounts.
• Manage and monitor delinquent loan portfolios to ensure timely resolution.
• Negotiate settlements, restructuring arrangements, and repayment plans.
• Initiate and oversee collateral realization and enforcement proceedings.
• Track recovery performance against agreed targets and prepare periodic recovery reports.
• Work closely with credit and risk teams to reduce non-performing loan (NPL) ratios.

Legal & Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure all credit documentation and recovery processes comply with applicable laws, regulatory frameworks, and internal policies.
• Maintain compliance with Central Bank of Nigeria guidelines and other statutory requirements.
• Liaise with external solicitors, law enforcement agencies, and regulatory authorities.
• Manage litigation processes, including court filings, case follow-ups, and legal representation coordination.
• Conduct legal due diligence on collateral documentation and loan agreements.

Legal Advisory & Documentation:

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, loan agreements, and other legal instruments.
• Provide legal opinions and advisory support to management and operational departments.
• Conduct legal research to guide business transactions and strategic decisions.
• Ensure corporate compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree.
• Barrister-at-Law (BL) qualification.
• 4–7 years post-call experience in legal practice, loan recovery, credit administration, or financial services.
• Prior experience in banking, microfinance, or financial institutions is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of debt recovery laws, contract law, insolvency procedures, and financial regulations.
• Proven experience managing litigation and enforcement processes.

Core Competencies:

• Strong negotiation and recovery management skills.
• Sound legal reasoning and analytical ability.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Attention to detail with strong documentation accuracy.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and meet performance targets.
• Proficiency in legal drafting and case management systems.