Legal and Governance Advisor – Asset Management at Old Mutual Kenya

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.