Senior Manager - Legal at Sun King (Formerly Greenlight Planet)

About The Role :

This position involves managing all the legal aspects for the company and ensuring that the
company complies with all relevant laws and regulations. This person would be required to provide legal advice to the executive team and other departments and offer legal expertise and insight to support the company’s business objectives.  This is a pivotal role within the organization, and the role holder’s ability to provide sound legal advice, mitigate risks, and drive compliance is essential to the company’s success. This position requires a strategic thinker and a team player who can balance legal acumen with a practical understanding of the company’s objectives.

What you would be expected to do

Legal Strategy and Compliance

• Develop and implement the company’s legal strategy, aligning it with overall business goals.
• Identify and assess potential legal risks and liabilities.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies and implement preventive measures.
• Ensure the organization complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Monitor changes in legislation and regulations, adapting the company’s policies and procedures accordingly

Fundraising – negotiations and documentation

• Lead primary negotiations and drafting (along with external counsels where applicable) for all fundraising (debt, equity, structured/mezzanine).
• Handle legal due diligence by investors and their advisors.
• Advise on matters related to board composition, shareholders’ rights, and corporate structure
• Ensure completion of all conditions related to funding (both pre and post) in a timely manner and handle periodic reporting/compliances related to legal
• Develop standard templates used frequently in fund raise, like NDAs, term sheets, ESG policy matters, standards disclosures, etc.

Intellectual Property

• Register, protect, and manage the company’s intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights
• Handle intellectual property disputes and licensing agreements

Contract Management and standardization – Customers, suppliers, and service providers

• Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts, agreements, and legal documents
• Provide guidance on contract terms and ensure that they are in the company’s best interest
• Ensure any and all obligations with respect to ESG are reflected in customer and supplier contracts to the extent applicable.
• Manage contract disputes and resolutions as necessary.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution (including Tax and HR)

• Manage and oversee litigation and legal proceedings involving the company.
• Collaborate with external legal counsel when necessary.
• Seek cost-effective solutions and negotiate settlements where possible.

Corporate Governance

• Ensure that the company operates in compliance with corporate governance principles.

Regulatory Affairs

• Maintain knowledge of industry-specific regulations and compliance requirements.
• Establish relationships with relevant regulatory agencies and oversee regulatory submissions as needed.

Networking & Administrative functions

• Create and develop a roster of preferred attorneys and law firms across geographies for various activities listed above.
• Manage the legal budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and resource allocation.
• Provide legal advice and guidance to the executive team and various departments within the company
• Develop and deliver legal training and education programs to enhance legal awareness throughout the organization.

You might be a strong candidate if you

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in legal practice, with significant experience in corporate
• Graduate / Post-graduate degree in Law and membership in the bar association and commercial law
• Significant experience/exposure to legal frameworks under English and African law
• Familiarity with fundraising documentation standards like NVCA, LMA, etc.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities