Job Description
We are hiring!!!
Job Title: Chief Legal & Compliance Officer
The client: Our client is a Nigerian conglomerate with interest in Asset Management, Insurance, Investment Banking, Real Estate Investment, and Fintech
Location: Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
Reporting To: Group CEO & Board of Directors
Job summary:
The Chief Legal & Compliance Officer (CLCO) serves as the principal legal authority for the Group, overseeing all legal, regulatory, governance, and compliance matters across the organization and its subsidiaries.
The role ensures that all land acquisitions, development projects, brokerage operations, corporate transactions, and investment structures are legally sound, risk-mitigated, and compliant with Nigerian regulatory frameworks. The CLCO will act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Board, safeguarding the organization’s assets, reputation, and long-term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Legal Strategy & Advisory
•Develop and implement the Group’s legal strategy in alignment with business expansion goals.
•Provide strategic legal advisory on property acquisitions, joint ventures, structured investments, and capital projects.
•Advise executive leadership on legal risks associated with new markets and subsidiaries.
2. Real Estate & Transactional Oversight
•Lead due diligence on land acquisitions, title verification, and regulatory approvals.
•Oversee preparation and review of legal documentation including Deeds of Assignment, Joint Venture Agreements, Development Agreements, MOUs, and Construction Contracts.
•Ensure compliance with land use laws, planning permits, and property regulations.
•Identify and mitigate risks related to title defects, encumbrances, and land disputes.
3. Regulatory & Compliance Management
•Establish and maintain an enterprise-wide compliance framework.
•Ensure compliance with relevant Nigerian regulatory and statutory obligations, including:
oCorporate Affairs Commission regulations
oAnti-Money Laundering / Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements
oEconomic and Financial Crimes Commission regulatory guidelines
oTax and statutory reporting obligations
•Lead internal compliance audits and investigations.
•Develop whistleblowing and ethics reporting mechanisms.
4. Corporate Governance
•Ensure sound corporate governance practices across all subsidiaries.
•Oversee statutory filings, board documentation, and governance frameworks.
•Advise the Board on regulatory developments and governance risks.
•Develop and implement Group-wide legal policies and procedures.
5. Litigation & Dispute Resolution
•Manage all litigation, arbitration, and regulatory investigations.
•Coordinate with external legal counsel and manage legal budgets.
•Develop proactive dispute resolution strategies to minimize legal exposure.
•Oversee recovery and enforcement actions where required.
6. Contract Governance & Risk Control
•Implement contract review protocols and approval thresholds.
•Develop standardized legal templates for Group-wide use.
•Monitor contractual obligations and compliance.
•Minimize financial and reputational risks through proactive legal oversight.
7. Leadership & Team Management
•Build and lead a high-performing legal and compliance team.
•Provide legal training for management and sales teams, particularly on property documentation and regulatory compliance.
•Foster a strong culture of ethics, compliance, and accountability across the organization.
Qualifications & Experience
•LL.B (Hons)
•LL.M or MBA is an added advantage.
•Minimum 12–15 years post-call experience.
•At least 5 years in a senior legal leadership role.
•Strong expertise in real estate law, property transactions, corporate governance, and structured deals.
•Experience within a multi-entity group structure is highly desirable.
Application:
Qualified and interested candidates should submit their CV and cover letter to jobs@kennediaconsulting.net no later than 13th March.
