For over 15 years, JMG has been asserting its excellence as a leader in the power generation industry. Our strong partnership with FG Wilson, a trademark under the recognized Caterpillar Inc. brand portfolio and the world’s front-runner manufacturer of Perkins generators has given us the foundation to steer the industry in the direction of quality, ...
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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.
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Interested applicant(s) should possess relevant qualification and experience
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should forward their CV to: career@jmglimited.com using the position as subject of email.
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