Senior Legal Counsel

Job Summary: 

The Senior Legal Counsel – Commercial Operations will provide hands-on legal support for Emerald’s commercial transactions, proposals, and operational initiatives. The role ensures that all commercial activities are legally sound, compliant with Nigerian regulations, and structured to mitigate risk while enabling business growth. 

Key Responsibilities:

•Support the commercial, business development and finance teams in structuring and negotiating deals, proposals, and contracts.

•Advise on cross-border transactions and coordinate with international counsel where required.

•Review, draft, and finalize commercial agreements, MOUs, letters of intent, and other legal documents.

•Conduct legal due diligence on clients, partners, and commercial transactions.

•Advise on compliance with regulatory, governance, and business integrity requirements, including risk mitigation strategies.

•Collaborate closely with finance, operations, and commercial teams to ensure alignment between legal guidance and business objectives.

•Identify and escalate legal risks and recommend solutions to protect the company’s interests.

•Manage external legal advisors when specialized expertise is required.

•Provide mentorship and guidance to junior legal or compliance staff.

•Support internal processes for proposals, contracts, and deal execution to improve efficiency and accuracy.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

•7–10 years post-call experience in commercial, corporate, or business law.

•Demonstrated experience in EPC contracts, commercial agreements, oil & gas regulatory compliance (including NOGICD Act), and HSE legal requirements.

•Strong expertise in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements.

•Understanding of Nigerian regulatory, corporate, and commercial frameworks.

•Excellent written and oral communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

•Ability to work hands-on, provide practical legal solutions, and collaborate across functions.

•Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment skills.

•Integrity, professionalism, and high ethical standards.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION:

•Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from a reputable university and called to the Nigerian Bar (B.L.).

•Postgraduate or professional qualifications (LL.M., Corporate Governance, or equivalent) is required

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

•Finalize all standard commercial contracts within 5 business days of request.

•Maintain an error rate of less than 1% in reviewed or drafted contracts.

•Achieve 100% compliance with Nigerian legal requirements and applicable Emerald policies in all reviewed commercial transactions.

•Provide legal input in 100% of commercial proposals submitted by the company within agreed project timelines.

•Reduce the number of legal disputes or contract breaches year-on-year.

•Obtain a minimum score of 8/10 in quarterly stakeholder feedback surveys from the executive, commercial and finance teams.

•Ensure zero regulatory penalties for breaches of HSE and environmental obligations in contracts

How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should apply using the Email Apply button using the Job title as the subject of the email. 

Step in with confidence, speak with clarity, and let your excellence shine through. We’re rooting for you every step of the way, go make it happen! 🚀 – The Thrive Team