Legal and Governance Advisor – Asset Management at Old Mutual Kenya

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Advisory:

• Providing concise, responsive and practical legal advisory legal solutions on various asset management and investment transactions working closely with the asset management teams.
• Provide technical asset management transaction advisory to the business.
• Handle Mergers &Acquisition related projects, focusing on the execution of the transactions.
• Timely review and dissemination of information and market/practice trends useful in management of legal Risk to the Asset Management business and the Old Mutual Group.
• Provide legal advice and guidance to the organization on a wide range of legal issues, including but not limited to contracts, employment law, intellectual property, products, and regulatory compliance.
• Supporting business units during contracting by preparing and/reviewing contracts, negotiating the terms with the Vendors, identifying the legal risks and incorporating suitable provisions to mitigate legal risk.
• Providing legal advisory and support in corporate & debt financing transactions
• Management of intellectual property portfolio across the EA Group, including Registration, protection/enforcement and monitoring use of intellectual property

Risk Management:

• Identify and assess legal risks in business operations and propose strategies to mitigate such risks.
• Monitor and ensure the legal risk policy is adhered to in order to protect the Company's interests.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop and implement legal risk management policies and procedures.

Compliance:

• Stay abreast of changes in relevant laws and regulations to ensure the organization's compliance, particularly Capital Markets laws and local and global dynamics of the business environments facing asset management.
• Advisory and reporting on regulatory changes that have an impact within the business including management of the regulatory tracker system.
• Develop and deliver legal training programs to employees to enhance awareness of legal issues.

Dispute Resolution:

• Manage and resolve legal disputes, including coordinating with external legal counsel when necessary.
• Represent the organization in legal proceedings and negotiations.

Corporate Governance and Stakeholder Management:

• Provide regulatory and other key stakeholder engagement support to the Asset Management business
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance requirements and maintain corporate records.
• Undertake Company Secretarial work including attending Board of Directors meetings and/or Board Committee meetings, writing of minutes and preparation of Board papers and to facilitate board induction, board assessment and evaluation

Collaboration:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand business objectives and provide legal support aligned with organizational goals.
• Ensuring service delivery as per the set Service Level Agreements with the various departments/Customers (meeting TAT and quality standards); and
• Work closely with external legal counsel when required.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Technical knowledge, specifically asset management and investments transaction advisory.
• Knowledge and practical experience in Mergers and acquisitions
• Business awareness
• Critical thinking and Problem-solving.
• Communication skills
• Time management.
• Teamwork and Building relationships
• Accountability

QUALIFICATOINS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya with 5 years post qualification

Experience.

• A Certified Company Secretary with the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries (will be an added advantage
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of financial services sector, with bias to asset management and investments will be a compelling advantage.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.