Corporate Legal Counsel at British American Tobacco

⏲ Feb 23, 2024, 6:32 AM
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British American Tobacco is all about freedom of choice - whether it’s our people or our products. Combined with our entrepreneurial spirit, it’s what’s driven our phenomenal success. We started trading tobacco over a hundred years ago. Today, we’re a multibillion dollar company with more than 200 brands in our portfolio. With robust positions in each of our regional markets, our future looks equally bright too.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Corporate Legal Counsel

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time

Role Positioning and Objectives

As Corporate Counsel in a dynamic and fast-paced team of other experienced team members across BAT’s Sub-Saharan Africa Area, you will provide proactive legal advisory and support to internal stakeholders and corporate business units with a focus on Nigeria.
You will act as Company Secretary to the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (Limited by Guaranty).

What You Will Be Accountable For:

Provide legal and commercially driven counselling and support to internal stakeholders to drive decisions and strategic direction as the Business evolves.
Provide legal support and optimal Company Secretarial services to the Board and Management of British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (Limited by Guaranty)
Draft, review contractual documentation, renewal, negotiation and develop where applicable standard formats, for the benefit of the Business unit to ensure that the Company’s interests are adequately protected.
Review correspondence prepared by internal stakeholders in response to requests from Regulators and government agencies (where necessary)
Actively propose and support legal projects and initiatives as legal department’s value-add to the rest of the Business
Demonstrate excellence in own work by improving technical and managerial skills identified and agreed in performance and development reviews
Supporting connection with the wider legal team and related core-functions across Sub-Saharan Africa to contribute to the success of the Legal Affairs and CORA Functions.
Participate actively in problem-solving, decision-making in assigned areas of Business while consistently working to minimise and manage commercial and legal risks.
Advise and support on corporate and commercial projects, finance regulatory audits, bank guarantees, Indemnities, corporate structuring, finance, treasury, tax & excise.
Provide informed legal advisory on various employment-related matters (not limited to employee dispute resolution, employer’s obligations, disciplinary proceedings) based on applicable laws, regulations and global best practices.
Support the Litigation Counsel in effective management of the Litigation portfolio.

Essential Experience, Skills, and Knowledge

Qualified Lawyer called to the Nigerian Bar with at least 5 (five) years relevant experience in a Commercial Law Firm and/or as an in-house Counsel.
Evidently visible written and oral communication skills.
Litigation experience will be an advantage
Worked across a wide range of issues demonstrating prioritisation, pragmatic solution-oriented advice, and sound commercial judgement.
Ability to explain and interpret legal issues being mindful of the audience.
High degree of ability to build relationships, influence and work collaboratively across the Business units encouraging trust and confidence while working with a diverse, multi-skilled stakeholders.
High degree of self motivation, initiative and out-of-the-box thinking.
In-depth understanding of legal and regulatory issues as they relate to industry practice, opportunities, employment-related, and Corporate Governance compliance requirements
Proficient user of Microsoft Office tools and other Artificial Intelligence tools that foster collaboration and team development.
Solutions driven and commercial approach to Legal Advisory and support to internal stakeholders
Manage or support in developing, tracking and managing legal team’s budget and budget spend.
Regulatory and/or government agency engagements