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Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.
Job Description
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting to the Regional Legal Counsel and providing core legal advisory support to the asset management business with Old Mutual, the Legal & Governance Advisor is a skilled professional provides legal advisory and corporate governance services.
This position requires a deep understanding of various legal and practise matters, knowledge and workings of the financial services industry, particularly asset management and investments, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal Advisory:
- Providing concise, responsive and practical legal advisory legal solutions on various asset management and investment transactions working closely with the asset management teams.
- Provide technical asset management transaction advisory to the business.
- Handle Mergers &Acquisition related projects, focusing on the execution of the transactions.
- Timely review and dissemination of information and market/practice trends useful in management of legal Risk to the Asset Management business and the Old Mutual Group.
- Provide legal advice and guidance to the organization on a wide range of legal issues, including but not limited to contracts, employment law, intellectual property, products, and regulatory compliance.
- Supporting business units during contracting by preparing and/reviewing contracts, negotiating the terms with the Vendors, identifying the legal risks and incorporating suitable provisions to mitigate legal risk.
- Providing legal advisory and support in corporate & debt financing transactions
- Management of intellectual property portfolio across the EA Group, including Registration, protection/enforcement and monitoring use of intellectual property
Risk Management:
- Identify and assess legal risks in business operations and propose strategies to mitigate such risks.
- Monitor and ensure the legal risk policy is adhered to in order to protect the Company’s interests.
- Collaborate with internal teams to develop and implement legal risk management policies and procedures.
Compliance:
- Stay abreast of changes in relevant laws and regulations to ensure the organization’s compliance, particularly Capital Markets laws and local and global dynamics of the business environments facing asset management.
- Advisory and reporting on regulatory changes that have an impact within the business including management of the regulatory tracker system.
- Develop and deliver legal training programs to employees to enhance awareness of legal issues.
Dispute Resolution:
- Manage and resolve legal disputes, including coordinating with external legal counsel when necessary.
- Represent the organization in legal proceedings and negotiations.
Corporate Governance and Stakeholder Management:
- Provide regulatory and other key stakeholder engagement support to the Asset Management business
- Ensure compliance with corporate governance requirements and maintain corporate records.
- Undertake Company Secretarial work including attending Board of Directors meetings and/or Board Committee meetings, writing of minutes and preparation of Board papers and to facilitate board induction, board assessment and evaluation
Collaboration:
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand business objectives and provide legal support aligned with organizational goals.
- Ensuring service delivery as per the set Service Level Agreements with the various departments/Customers (meeting TAT and quality standards); and
- Work closely with external legal counsel when required.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Technical knowledge, specifically asset management and investments transaction advisory.
- Knowledge and practical experience in Mergers and acquisitions
- Business awareness
- Critical thinking and Problem-solving.
- Communication skills
- Time management.
- Teamwork and Building relationships
- Accountability
QUALIFICATOINS & EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor of Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya with 5 years post qualification
Experience.
• A Certified Company Secretary with the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries (will be an added advantage
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of financial services sector, with bias to asset management and investments will be a compelling advantage.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
This role is responsible for providing support from a legal perspective, and for preparing legal documents. This role describes both Corporate and Business Unit Legal Advisors.
Responsibilities
Legal
Take responsibility for managing and delivering a designated legal case work program.
Information and Business Advice
Provide specialist advice on the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, resolving queries and issues and referring very complex or contentious issues to others.
Document Preparation
Organize and prepare complex documents using a variety of applications for technology devices, such as standard office software. Also responsible for gathering and summarizing data for special reports.
Internal Communications
Help others get the most out of internal communications systems by offering support and advice.
External Communications
Help others get the most out of external communications systems by offering support and advice.
Recommendations
Advise managers how to apply a wide variety of existing procedures and precedents.
Solutions Analysis
Interpret data and identify possible answers. Involves navigating a wide variety of processes, procedures, and precedents.
Policy Development and Implementation
Work within established procedures to achieve specified goals.
Internal Client Relationship Management
Build effective working relationships within the internal client organization, delivering high-quality professional services with guidance from senior colleagues.
Personal Capability Building
Develop own capabilities by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation, where relevant, to improve performance and fulfill personal potential. Maintain an understanding of relevant technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
Skills
Action Planning, Analytical Thinking, Computer Literacy, Data Compilation, Developing Creative Solutions, Evaluating Information, Executing Plans, Legal Practices, Oral Communications, Policies & Procedures, Presenting Solutions, Professional Presentation, Second Language, Solution Analysis, Writing
