LEGAL COUNSEL I, CORPORATE OPERATIONS

JOB PURPOSE:

The post holder is responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective management of staff and resources within the Group Legal & Governance Department specifically to support the Corporate Division. The post holder will lead the delivery of legal, regulatory, and corporate transactional services. This position directs the legal strategy for corporate initiatives, deploying resources to meet service delivery and performance standards across various support units, including M&A, corporate finance, and strategic partnerships.

Additional functions include the management of resources within the General Assignment pool as directed by the Group General Counsel.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIES:

Core Compliance

1. Corporate Governance: Driving and enforcing Company rules as published in the Management System (TMS) to ensure corporate integrity.
2. Mandatory Compliance: Maintaining full compliance with mandatory training requirements, specifically relating to the Code of Conduct, Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC), and AML policies.

General Corporate Legal Management

1. Strategic Advisory: Provide expert advice on corporate legal, contractual, and regulatory matters in alignment with Group policies.
2. Business Alignment: Coordinate with departments related to strategic investments (revenue), procurement/operations (cost), and corporate strategic initiatives to identify and meet management objectives.
3. Leadership: Manage and mentor legal personnel, ensuring strict adherence to company standards through coaching, performance appraisal, and professional development.
4. Dispute Resolution: Manage corporate-level potential disputes, arbitrations, or litigation and oversee the engagement and performance of external legal counsel.
5. Contract Lifecycle: Draft, review, and negotiate high-value service agreements, inter-company agreements, and complex commercial contracts.

Corporate Transactions & M&A (Revenue/Growth)

1. Transaction Structuring: Review and ensure corporate tenders, investment proposals, and M&A deals are legally protected prior to execution.
2. Risk Mitigation: Prepare exceptions/deviations to terms in investment agreements and make recommendations to minimize long-term legal and financial exposure.
3. Strategic Documentation: Advise on, review, and draft documents including Share Purchase Agreements (SPA), Joint Venture Agreements, Consortium Agreements, and Terms Sheets.
4. Post-Acquisition Support: Advise on the legal integration of new corporate entities and manage any post-closing contractual obligations.

Corporate Operational Support (Cost/Procurement)

1. Vendor Frameworks: Advise on and draft contract terms for large-scale corporate transactions with vendors, suppliers, and high-level consultants.
2. Instrument Drafting: Review and draft amendments, supplemental agreements, and formal legal notices for corporate-wide service level agreements (SLAs).
3. Dispute Management: Undertake pre-dispute management and mediation for corporate-level supply chain or service conflicts.

Governance, Secretarial & Compliance

1. Client Account Management: Act as the primary legal liaison for the Division’s requests, funneling requirements through the appropriate Group Legal functions.
2. Cross-Functional Liaison: Work closely with Corporate Secretarial, Compliance, and Tax functions to ensure all transactions meet statutory requirements.
3. Quality Assurance: Review tasks and filings completed by Corporate Secretarial or Governance functions to ensure accuracy and protection of the Group’s interests.

QUALIFICATIONS / CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Hons.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND PREFERED SKILLS:

1. Minimum of 10 years of working experience
2. Possess good negotiation and drafting skills
3. Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills
4. Good command of written and spoken English
5. Ability to perform and manage numerous assigned tasks while meeting rigorous performance standards and tight deadlines
6. An analytical thinker who can quickly learn new things, develop useful expertise and produce significant contributions