Legal Manager – Security Perfection & Credit Support at Equity Bank Kenya

Role Purpose:

This role leads and manages the Bank’s security perfection framework, ensuring robust support for credit origination and portfolio management. It is accountable for the end-to-end execution, quality and timely completion of security documentation, including drafting, review, registration, and ongoing maintenance of securities. The role ensures full compliance with legal, regulatory and internal policy requirements, while proactively identifying and mitigating legal and operational risks. It provides strategic guidance and functional oversight for all security perfection activities, driving efficiency, risk mitigation, and portfolio integrity, and reports directly to the Head of Credit Administration.

Key Responsibilities:

Security Perfection Management

• Oversee the drafting, review, execution, and perfection of all security documentation, including charges, mortgages, debentures, guarantees, and other collateral instruments.
• Ensure effective coordination and timely registration of securities with relevant authorities, including the Lands Registry, Business Registration Service, and other statutory bodies.
• Establish and enforce quality-control standards for pre-registration review of security documentation to ensure legal validity and compliance with internal policies.
• Oversee engagement with external counsel and registries to drive efficiency, resolve delays, and ensure timely completion of security perfection processes.

Compliance and Risk Governance

• Ensure all security documentation is legally enforceable and compliant with applicable laws, including the Land Act, Companies Act, and other relevant statutes.
• Proactively identify, assess and manage legal and operational risks arising from security documentation and perfection processes, escalating material issues as appropriate.
• Confirm that all securities meet the Bank’s credit policy and risk requirements prior to credit disbursement.

Monitoring, Controls, and Record Management

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of perfected and pending securities within the bank’s systems.
• Monitor security perfection timelines and exception reports, ensuring prompt corrective action is taken to address defects, lapses, or delays.
• Ensure expiring, defective or impaired securities are renewed, rectified or otherwise mitigated to minimize legal and credit exposure.

Credit Structuring Advisory

• Provide legal advice on structuring complex credit facilities to ensure legal risk analysis and to propose mitigation strategies for credit fulfillment.
• Support Credit Committees in the review, structure and appraisal of credit facilities
• Provide expertise on recovery, collections, bankruptcy and insolvency issues when dealing with distressed facilities
• Provide legal advice on all aspects of syndicated lending including drafting and managing perfection of legal documents, such as facility agreements, inter-creditor agreements, and security documents using standard forms from the Loan Market Association (LMA).

Stakeholder and Advisory Leadership

• Act as a key legal liaison with internal stakeholders, including Credit Administration, Risk, and Branch teams, providing guidance and status updates on security perfection matters.
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders such as advocates, valuers, and registries to ensure alignment with service standards and regulatory requirements.
• Provide authoritative legal advisory support to business and credit teams on security structuring and documentation requirements.

Reporting and Management Information

• Review periodic management reports on security perfection status, exceptions and risk exposures for submission to the Legal Manager, Credit Support and Enablement.
• Analyze trends, bottlenecks and performance metrics within the security perfection function and recommend remedial actions.

Process Improvement and Capability Development

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy and governance of security perfection processes.
• Develop, review and implement policies, procedures and controls related to security documentation and registration.
• Champion the adoption of technology and automation tools to improve tracking, documentation, reporting, and risk management.

Qualifications

Job Experience Requirement:

• Minimum of 7–10 years’ post-qualification legal experience, with at least 3–5 years in a managerial or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience in security perfection, banking and finance law, or credit legal support within a bank, financial institution, or reputable law firm.
• Proven track record in drafting, reviewing, and registering security documentation, including charges, mortgages, debentures, guarantees, and other collateral instruments.
• Hands-on experience engaging with land registries, company registries, and other statutory bodies.
• Experience in managing external counsel, advocates, and service providers.
• Strong exposure to credit operations, risk management, and regulatory compliance in a regulated financial services environment.

Academic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a recognized university.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Law or equivalent professional legal training (where applicable by jurisdiction).
• Admission to the Bar / Advocate of the High Court (or equivalent legal practicing qualification).
• Current membership in the Law Society or relevant professional legal body.
• Additional certifications in banking law, finance, risk management, or compliance will be an added advantage.
• Management or leadership certifications (e.g., MBA, leadership development programs) are desirable.