About the Role
Kenya Airways is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to serve as the primary point of contact and source of advisory on all open and anticipated legal cases for and against the company across the network. The incumbent will be required to provide legal support and advisory services across the network through proactive identification, communication, and mitigation of all legal risks in line with the overall business strategy. Additionally, they will manage all legal risks on assigned company commercial legal transactions as well as litigation proceedings and progress within assigned units or stations, guided by the Departmental Team Leader (Company Secretary & Director Legal, Risk and Compliance) and appointed external lawyers.
Key Responsibilities
- Legal Advisory & Preventive Lawyering: Provide legal advice and preventive lawyering to both the Hub and all outstations, aiding in identifying significant legal obligations, risks, and opportunities to ensure they are handled proactively.
- Contract Management: Represent and safeguard the interests of the Company in contract negotiations including Commercial agreements, Joint Ventures, Financing, Aircraft Leases, Registration, and Procurement/tendering processes both locally and across all outstations.
- Commercial Drafting: Provide solutions and incorporate clauses that give Kenya Airways flexibility in commercial contracts.
- Litigation Oversight: Act as the central point in the company for all litigation matters, managing legal issues at the Group and country level in liaison with external legal counsel or third parties.
- External Counsel Management: Manage the process of engaging external counsel, including effective instructions and negotiating appropriate fee structures for all legal engagements.
- Legal Instruments: Review and/or prepare all legal instruments entered into by the company to ensure interests are fully protected.
- Corporate Governance Support: Provide advice to all stakeholders on corporate authorities and work closely with senior management to ensure relevant board and committee approvals are obtained on a timely basis.
- Internal Operations Support: Develop instruments for use, governance-related documents, and templates that support operations at the Legal department.
- Legal Documentation: Prepare legal and quasi-legal documentation such as proxy forms, powers/delegations of attorney, and tender documentation, and liaise with notaries to arrange legalization.
- Subsidiary Filings: Assist with filing of documentation in other jurisdictions for updates to the company’s international locations and subsidiaries, business and trade registrations, and license renewals.
- Intellectual Property & Compliance: Manage the company's intellectual property portfolio in conjunction with external counsel and the marketing team, and provide general competition law advice/training.
- Team Leadership: Supervise and develop direct reports, providing individual performance development, objective setting, performance support, mentorship, and career coaching.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Law (LL.B) from a recognized university.
- CPS-K (Certified Public Secretary - Kenya) qualification is mandatory.
- Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law (KSL).
- A minimum of 8 years of senior management experience in a listed company or busy commercial environment on Company Secretary, Legal, and Governance mandates.
- Master's degree in Law (LL.M), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Certification in Certified Secretary or other relevant Legal certifications/training will be an added advantage.
- Demonstrable knowledge of aviation or commercial laws, regulations, and relevant legislations.
Skills & Key Competencies
- High personal integrity with the ability to maintain confidentiality and inspire trust.
- Working experience in budgeting and planning.
- Demonstrated ability to create legal defensive or proactive strategies.
- Strong conceptual, analytical, documentation, and presentation skills with the ability to influence and negotiate at different levels.
- Superior team leadership, team working, and cooperation skills with the ability to drive change management.
- Strategic, creative, and analytical thinker with excellent stakeholder and risk management skills.
- Decisive, resilient, results-oriented, and customer-focused.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to apply online via Kenya Airways recruitment portal.
To apply, go to: Apply Now on Kenya Airways Careers
