Senior Counsel - Corporate Transactions at Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company

Coca-Cola HBC (Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company) is a bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company. Coca-Cola HBC is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland and has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange and secondary listing on the Athens Exchange. The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company and operates in more than 200 countries.

Life at Coca-Cola HBC is fast-paced and challenging, with fair rewards and exciting learning opportunities. We promote an inclusive workplace, value diverse views and opinions and always appoint the best person for the job, ensuring equality in our shortlists and appointments. Take up the challenge. Join us!

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Counsel - Corporate Transactions

Location: Lagos (Hybrid)
Job type: Full-Time

Job Summary

• The Senior Counsel - Corporate Transactions, as a member of the legal team, will be responsible for managing legal deliverables for the Finance and Procurement teams and deliver Company Secretariat responsibilities for Nigerian Bottling Company and its affiliated entities. 
• The Senior Counsel will also implement corporate governance policies and contribute to the company's overall governance strategy.

Responsibilities

• Support to Finance Team in relation to M&A as well as debt and equity finance transactions (the “Transactions”), including drafting, negotiation, review of documentation, and transaction management.
• Review the legal due diligence reports prepared by external counsel and advising on findings from the due diligence review.
• Standardize procurement contracts and ensuring contract terms are clear, balanced, and compliant with applicable laws, industry standards, and company policies.
• Liaise with the company secretariat on the maintenance and update of the company’s common seal and statutory books of the company.
• Drive the company’s corporate governance agenda in line with the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance.
• Advise on transaction structure and legal requirements for the Transactions to ensure that transaction objectives are achieved.
• Support procurement team in regulatory interface with customs or other clearing agencies for the import of goods.
• Develop trust, confidence, and build effective working relationships with internal stakeholders and TCC.
• Research, critically analyze, and provide legal opinions to the leadership team and business partner functions on diverse matters relating to the company’s operations.
• Monitor and keep up to date with laws, regulations, and professional codes relevant to the company’s business.
• Manage the relationship with the Company Secretary and serve as the point of contact for board matters.
• Hold periodic meetings/brainstorming sessions with partner functions to manage/minimize legal risk to the business.
• Maintain strong relationships with the Regional Directors and other CCH Senior Legal Counsels and ensure timely communication of issues impacting the business.
• Conduct periodic training for partner functions on legislative/regulatory requirements/changes that impact the business.

Requirements

• 10+ years of related professional work experience
• A bachelor’s degree in law; and admission to the Nigerian Bar
• Strong understanding of financial regulations and laws
• Experience advising on local and cross-border financing, insolvency and M&A transactions
• Import Clearing, tracking and transshipments
• Experience in undertaking legal due diligence audit relating to financing, insolvency and M&A transactions
• Experience in drafting and negotiating finance, insolvency and M&A-related agreements
• Strong knowledge of procurement laws, regulations, and contract law
• Excellent negotiation, drafting, and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to build strong trusting relationships with senior business stakeholders.

Application Closing Date
21st March, 2025.