Group Legal Officer- Nairobi at Summit Recruitment and Search

The role includes advising management, drafting and reviewing contracts, conducting legal research, coordinating litigation and dispute resolution, and ensuring compliance with regional and national laws. The Legal Officer will proactively manage legal risks, support contract negotiation and corporate governance across multiple jurisdictions, maintain statutory records, monitor legislative changes, and contribute to strategic advocacy efforts to protect the group’s interests across its East African operations

Key Responsibilities.

• Deliver timely, practical legal advice across the group on commercial, operational, labor, and employment matters, including guidance on the legal implications of business decisions.
• Carry out legal and factual research on East African laws and stay updated on legislative and regulatory changes affecting the group’s operations.
• Prepare, review, and support negotiations for a wide range of commercial agreements, including those related to suppliers, partnerships, NDAs, investments, and M&A activities, ensuring full compliance with applicable laws.
• Oversee adherence to legal and corporate governance requirements across all business units, manage company secretarial duties, board documentation, and statutory filings.
• Manage the group’s litigation portfolio by liaising with external counsel, preparing case documentation, tracking case progress, and supporting alternative dispute resolution processes.
• Develop legal policies, conduct training, lead legal audits, and proactively assess and address legal and contractual risks across regional operations.
• Maintain an organized repository of legal documents, oversee execution and archiving processes, and track key contract and regulatory deadlines.
• Act as a liaison with internal teams, external counsel, and regulators; manage departmental communication and budgeting; and establish procedures to detect, report, and respond to legal breaches or incidents.

Key Qualifications.

• Admission to the bar in an East African jurisdiction with a valid practicing certificate is an advantage.
• Familiarity with the legal and regulatory frameworks with excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to draft, review, and negotiate contracts, interpret regulations, and translate them into practical policies.
• Experience in or willingness to specialize in hospitality and tourism, including data protection, data privacy, and corporate governance.
• Ability to understand business drivers, navigate ambiguity, make commercially sound decisions, and provide strategic legal input.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional and cross-regional teams, manage multiple projects, and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (English required; Kiswahili/French an advantage), proficiency in IT and legal research tools, and willingness to travel within East Africa.