Company Secretary / Legal Advisor

Our client is a leading beverage company specialising in fruit juices and dairy products. They are currently seeking a Company Secretary / Legal Advisor to join their team.

1. Education & Professional Background

• Minimum of a Second-Class Upper (2:1) degree at undergraduate level or from the Nigerian Law School.
• Minimum 15 years post-call (Year at the Bar).
• Background in Tier 1 Law Firms.
• Subsequent in-house corporate experience with proven understanding of internal corporate structures and decision-making.

2. Core Legal Expertise

• Demonstrable experience in corporate advisory, company secretarial, and corporate finance.
• Deep understanding of corporate law and regulation.
• Strong knowledge of corporate governance, Board dynamics, and regulatory compliance.
• Track record in M&A, capital markets, and corporate finance transactions is an advantage.
• Experience dealing with regulators and stakeholders.
• Ability to oversee end-to-end legal operations.

3. Commercial Acumen

• Ability to balance legal risks with commercial considerations.
• Experience working cross-functionally with finance, strategy, and business development teams.
• Demonstrated agility in anticipating issues, thinking ahead, and proposing practical solutions.
• Forward-thinking mindset with the ability to align legal strategy to future business opportunities and risks.

4. Sound Judgment

• Proven ability to make well-considered decisions under pressure, weighing both legal and business implications.
• Strong risk assessment skills - discerning when to escalate matters versus when to resolve independently.
• Demonstrated capacity to provide practical, solution-oriented advice rather than theoretical opinions.
• Recognised as a confident and trusted advisor by Boards, executives, and peers.

5. Stakeholder Engagement

• Excellent communication (verbal and written).
• Established regulatory relationships and proven ability to navigate regulators effectively.
• Skilled at engaging with Boards and senior executives with confidence, diplomacy, and credibility.
• Enthusiastic and visibly aligned with the organisation's goals, earning trust and buy-in from stakeholders.

6. Leadership & Personal Attributes

• Demonstrable leadership skills with a track record of leading teams, managing talent, and building capability.
• Resilient under pressure with the ability to remain composed and effective in demanding or fast-changing environments.
• Strong problem-solving mindset - resourceful, analytical, and able to find pathways through complex challenges.
• Proactive, forward-thinking, and tech-savvy, leveraging technology to enhance legal operations, efficiency, and collaboration.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and accountability.
• Acts as a mentor and role model, fostering growth in junior lawyers.