Head of Legal

About the role

Ecobank Liberia is looking for a Head of Legal to provide strategic and operational legal leadership to the bank. The role ensures compliance with Liberian laws and regulations, Ecobank Group policies and international banking standards, protects the bank's legal interests, minimises legal risk and supports business growth through sound legal advice.

Key responsibilities

• Give timely, accurate legal advice to the Managing Director, executive management, board committees and business units, and support new products, partnerships and transactions by flagging legal risks.
• Ensure compliance with Liberian law, Central Bank of Liberia regulations and Ecobank Group policies, liaising with regulators, external counsel and government authorities and monitoring legislative changes.
• Review, draft, negotiate and approve contracts, agreements, MOUs and SLAs, and maintain the bank's contract management system.
• Oversee all litigation, disputes and claims, coordinate with external counsel and report on litigation exposure and reputational or financial risks.
• Support the Board and its committees on governance matters, directors' duties, conflicts of interest and corporate secretarial issues.
• Identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks, support Enterprise Risk Management and internal audit, and implement legal controls in line with Group standards.
• Lead and mentor the legal team, foster a culture of ethics and professionalism, and organise legal awareness and training sessions.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and qualification as a Councillor-at-Law; membership in the Liberia National Bar Association is mandatory.
• Postgraduate qualification in law or a relevant professional certification is an added advantage.
• Minimum 5-10 years of post-qualification legal experience, preferably in banking, financial services or a top-tier law firm.
• Proven experience in regulatory compliance, litigation management and commercial contracting.
• Prior leadership or senior legal management experience is required.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of banking and financial services law.
• Excellent analytical, drafting and negotiation skills.
• Sound judgment, integrity, stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.