Legal Officer & Executive Assistant to the Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer at Workforce Group

Workforce Group is a Management Consulting and Outsourcing Professional Services Firm. Following its inception in July 2004, Workforce Management Centre Limited (Workforce) has built an enviable reputation as the leading indigenous management and professional services consulting firm in Nigeria. Drawing from its Deep Domain Expertise, in the area of organizational effectiveness and employee performance, the Company is positioned to assist businesses across diverse sectors of the economy in their quest to create sustainable value for their stakeholders.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Legal Officer & Executive Assistant to the Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports to: MD/CEO

Job Purpose

• The Legal Officer and Executive Assistant is responsible for monitoring all legal affairs within the organization and also provides executive support to the MD/CEO.
• He/she will serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external constituencies on all legal issues and matters pertaining to the Office of the MD/CEO.
• The Legal Officer and Executive Assistant also serves as a liaison to the board of directors, senior management teams, regulators, clients and other stakeholders.
• He/She oversees all executive projects and special assignments related to the MD/CEO’s office while working with the MD/CEO to keep the organization out of legal troubles.

Key Duties & Responsibilities
Legal Functions:

• Provide analysis and counsel on legal and policy issues relating to proposed new products, protecting intellectual property, financial offerings, financial structuring, securities offerings, compliance issues, non-disclosure agreements, outsourcing agreements and business strategic planning.
• Review contracts between the Institution and other bodies.
• Advise Management on legal issues and ensuring that the rights of the institution and clients are protected
• Provide legal counsel to recover outstanding debts from defaulting Customers.
• Conduct and coordinate research into a variety of legal issues.
• Examine newly published laws, acts and regulations and ascertaining how these affect the institution’s business.
• Perfecting of legal documentation.
• Prepare and create legal contracts on behalf of the Institution and representing the client in various legal proceedings.
• Review and draft contracts, agreements and internal policies and ensure that they are in compliance with all statutory or legal requirements.
• Where necessary, participate in relevant committee meetings such as disciplinary, credit, loan review etc.
• Ensure an effective recovery set up for the operations of the company
• Develop comprehensive reports for external lawyers should we have to go to court
• Where necessary liaise with relevant departments to ensure that legal risks have been identified, appropriate courses of action have been taken.
• Review progress of outstanding litigation and liaise with and manage external lawyers and counsels.
• Perform other duties as required, consistent with the goals, objectives, and responsibilities of the bank.

Executive Support:

• Completes a broad variety of administrative tasks for the MD/CEO including: managing an extremely active calendar of appointments; completing reports; composing and preparing correspondence that is sometimes confidential; arranging complex and detailed travel plans, itineraries, and agendas; and compiling documents for business or travel-related meetings.
• Plans, coordinates and ensures the CEO's schedule is followed and respected.
• Communicates directly, and on behalf of the MD/CEO, with Board members, regulators, management staff, and others, on matters related to CEO's programs and initiatives.
• Researches, prioritizes, and follows up on incoming issues and concerns addressed to the MD, including those of a sensitive or confidential nature
• Determines appropriate course of action, referral, or response.
• Provides a bridge for smooth communication between the MD’s office and other departments and senior management staff.
• Works closely and effectively with the MD/CEO to keep him/her well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, following up appropriately.
• Acts as a barometer, having a sense for the issues taking place in the environment and keeping the MD updated.
• Successfully completes critical aspects of deliverables with a hands-on approach, including drafting acknowledgement letters, personal correspondence, and other tasks that facilitate the MD/CEO's ability to effectively lead the company.

Board & Senior Management Support and Liaison:

• Serves as the MD’s administrative liaison to the bank’s board of directors
• Assists board members with travel arrangements, lodging, and meal planning as needed
• Maintains discretion and confidentiality in relationships with all board members
• Adhere to compliance with applicable rules and regulations set in by laws regarding board and board committee matters, including advance distribution of materials before meetings in electronic/paper format.
• Participates as an adjunct member of the management team including assisting in scheduling meetings and attending all meetings
• Assists in coordinating the agenda of senior management team meetings and off-sites, and all staff meetings
• Follow up with management staff on behalf of the MD to ensure that all management reports are collated and submitted in time for MD’s attention.

Communications & Partnerships:

• Ensures that the personal profile of the MD and corporate profile of the bank is kept updated at all time.
• Responds to internal or external requests for information or materials regarding the MD and the bank in general.
• Edits and completes first drafts for written communications to external stake holders.
• Ensure the right and correct information about the MD and the bank is disseminated to the public through social and print media.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Take active role in strategic meetings and outreaches relating to the MD/CEO.
• Works with the management team in coordinating the MD’s activities on all operational and strategic issues.
• Follows up on contacts made by the MD and supports the cultivation of ongoing relationships
• Edits all, and creates acknowledgement letters from the MD to all stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as required, consistent with the goals, objectives, and responsibilities of the bank.

Relationships:

• Directors and Board members - Internal/External
• Senior Management staff - Internal
• Suppliers & Vendors - External
• Regulators (CBN, NDIC etc.) - External
• Customers - External
• External lawyers - External

Qualifications / Experience / Knowledge / Skills
Qualifications and Experience:

• First Degree or Postgraduate Degree in Law.
• Relevant Masters and Professional qualification is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience with at least 3 years’ as PA or EA to an MD/CEO or Executive director
• Previous experience in the financial services sector preferably in a commercial or microfinance bank.

Knowledge / Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point), Adobe Acrobat, and Social Media web platforms.
• Excellent use of technology- Experience in MS Teams, Docusign etc
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, board members, external partners and clients
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability
• Strong emotional intelligence and maturity
• Highly resourceful team-player and ability to be effective independently
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Demonstrate high level of customer/client service and response
• Strong ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast paced environment
• Ability to think fast, seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.

Job Requirements:

• Outlook, Sass, Written Communication, Verbal Communication Skills, Strategic Planning, Interpersonal Skill, Compliance, Microsoft Office, Intellect, Excel, Written And Verbal Communication.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.