The Head of Legal role is critical for managing the organization's legal affairs, leading the legal team, and ensuring full compliance across all operations, with a strong focus on real estate matters.
Job Purpose Statement
The job holder is responsible for managing the legal affairs of the organization and providing leadership to the legal team and support staff, including:
- Leading the development and implementation of legal procedures and policies for compliance.
- Drafting, negotiating, and vetting contracts and agreements.
- Conducting legal training for staff.
- Representing the company in legal proceedings.
- Identifying and mitigating legal risk.
Key Responsibilities
Advisory
- Ensure full compliance with all statutory obligations.
- Keep management informed of any legal changes that may impact company operations.
- Perform legal research, analysis, and prepare legal opinions on emerging issues.
- Conduct legal reviews and provide advice on key documents, agreements, policies, and procedures.
- Monitor and follow up on all cases involving the company to secure timely and favorable outcomes.
Contract Management
- Draft and develop contract clauses that align with the company’s needs and requirements.
- Create templates for new projects and ensure they are uploaded into the ERP system for use.
- Review contracts to ensure the inclusion of essential clauses.
- Approve contracts for signature, both internal and external, ensuring they adhere to negotiated terms and that thorough due diligence has been completed.
- Approve all Sale Agreements before they are forwarded to clients.
Legal Operations
- Oversee the effective operation of departmental activities.
- Assign tasks and responsibilities to staff members.
- Serve as a liaison between management and the department.
- Manage the backup of departmental data, ensuring it is safely stored weekly (including customer inquiries and relevant information).
- Safeguard the company’s seals, stamps, and directors’ stamps.
- Ensure accurate and clear data entry to facilitate the generation of detailed reports.
Dispute Resolution and Case Management
- Respond promptly to all court summons, pleadings, and demand letters received by the company.
- Maintain a schedule of all ongoing court cases, including hearing dates.
- Ensure the company is represented in court by qualified advocates.
- Safeguard and organize all documentary and other evidence, ensuring files are up-to-date and managing the overall litigation process.
- Prepare and submit monthly litigation progress reports to the Directors.
People Management
- Uphold and promote the company’s rules, vision, and mission.
- Manage employee performance, discipline, conduct, and compliance.
- Ensure that all department members fully utilize systems.
- Assess training needs for the legal department.
Training
- Provide training to staff on the legal requirements relevant to their roles within the company.
- Educate staff on business principles and other company policies.
Qualification and Experience Requirements
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B).
- Master of Laws (LL.M) or a Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., Corporate Law, Real Estate Law) will be added advantage.
- Postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
- Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate.
- Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience as in-house counsel, preferably in real estate, property development, or construction sectors.
- Strong expertise in conveyancing, including title searches, land transfers, and lease agreements.
- Proven experience in litigation and dispute resolution relating to property, tenancy, or contractual matters.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic legal advisory support to senior management and the Board.
- Hands-on experience in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, and drafting or negotiating high-value contracts.
- Strong understanding of Kenyan land laws, planning regulations, and real estate transactions.
Competency Requirements
- Supervisory Skills: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage a legal team effectively.
- Organizational Skills: Strong capacity to prioritize, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
- Emotional Intelligence: Ability to handle sensitive situations with discretion, empathy, and professionalism.
- Interpersonal Skills: Excellent relationship-building and communication skills with internal and external stakeholders.
- Computer Proficiency: Competent in legal research tools, MS Office Suite, and relevant corporate software.
- Detail Orientation: Strong focus on accuracy, thoroughness, and precision in legal documentation and analysis.
- Language Proficiency: Fluent in both English and Swahili, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
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