CHIEF LEGAL & REGULATORY

About Our Client:

Our client is one of Nigeria's leading electricity distribution companies, responsible for distributing and retailing electricity within its licensed territory. The company serves customers across the Southern zone, with a strong focus on delivering reliable, efficient, and customer-centric electricity services.

Job Objective:

To lead the Company's legal and regulatory strategy, protect its legal and commercial interests, and provide timely advice to the CEO, Board, and business functions. The role oversees legal risk, regulatory compliance coordination, contracts, disputes, and external counsel, while developing the Legal and Regulatory team.

Job Responsibilities:

• Serve as a member of the Top Management Team, advising on legal implications of strategic decisions and keeping leadership informed of developments in laws, regulations, and industry legal trends that may impact the Company.
• Support the development and review of corporate policies with legal implications. In consultation with Executive Management, provide expert legal advice on litigation strategy, contractual exposure, regulatory risk, and governance matters.
• Lead all legal matters involving the Company. Represent the organization before regulators, courts, tribunals, arbitration panels, and other legal forums, and provide authoritative interpretations of applicable laws and regulations.
• Oversee the drafting and review of petitions, appeals, applications, and other legal pleadings to ensure alignment with management's position in all cases filed by or against the Company.
• Manage official correspondence and engagements with regulators, government agencies, and statutory bodies on policy, compliance, and legal/regulatory matters affecting the Company.
• Serve as the key interface between the Legal and Regulatory Function and other business units, providing timely legal advisory services and risk guidance across operational, commercial, and corporate matters.
• Lead negotiations and legal reviews of contracts, agreements, MoUs, and partnerships with third parties, ensuring legal sufficiency and protection of the Company's interests.
• Monitor litigation exposure and legal costs, coordinate with panel lawyers on strategy for significant cases, and provide regular updates to management on case status and financial implications.
• Provide legal support to Board and Committee meetings, serve as custodian of all corporate agreements and confidential legal documents, and ensure proper legal record management and governance documentation.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the Legal and Regulatory function, ensuring capability development, performance management, succession planning, and continuous knowledge transfer within the team.
• Promote and support compliance with health, safety, and regulatory obligations by ensuring legal risks relating to HSE matters are identified and addressed in collaboration with relevant departments.
• Monitor license conditions and regulatory changes, coordinate submissions, and track corrective actions with accountable departments.
• Escalate material exposures and oversee external counsel's performance and fees.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the line manager.

Educational Qualification:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) degrees from recognized institutions. Membership of, or certifications by, relevant professional bodies is an added advantage.
• Qualified to practice law and current, valid Bar membership are required. Membership of relevant professional legal bodies is also required.
• At least 18 years of post-qualification experience, including 7 years in a senior legal leadership role, preferably within a regulated industry or large corporate environment.

Required Skills & Compentencies:

• Applies corporate and commercial law expertise, strategic leadership, and business and financial acumen to support informed decision-making.
• Demonstrates sound knowledge of regulatory and compliance frameworks and power sector legal requirements, supported by strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Drafts and negotiates contracts, manages litigation, and resolves disputes through effective negotiation and a results-oriented approach.
• Provides corporate governance and Board advisory support, develops and interprets policies, and demonstrates effective planning and organising skills.
• Manages stakeholder and government relations through clear verbal and written communication, emotional intelligence, and sound professional judgement.