Counsel, Legal Department Full-time Job

Job Summary

The Counsel is a senior legal resource in the Legal Department that plays a crucial role in reviewing and documenting legal documents, legal agreements and processes to ensure proper alignment with applicable rules, regulatory guidelines, laws and business requirements.

Responsibilities

Provide sound, consistent, and proactive advice to management in relation to matters arising from all aspects of AFC’s activities, with particular focus on Project Development, Project Finance, Treasury, and other General Counsel matters, identifying legal issues and providing options to resolve complex legal questions in these business units;
Prepare, review and provide expert advice and assistance with all manner of documentation emanating from these AFC business units, in each case from inception through execution. Specific deliverables include structuring of transactions (corporate & finance), due diligence reviews and reporting, transactional legal documents drafting and reviews, Board briefings, and transactional closing formalities. Must be skilled in project finance, debt (private credit and loan capital market issuances), trade finance, real estate, and equity;
Provide advice and actively participate in Project negotiations. Responsible for transactional integrity, working collaboratively with AFC colleagues across all functions (business development, credit & investments, treasury, operations & financial control). Must take ownership of ensuring deals close quickly, effectively and efficiently; proactively identifies issues in projects early, drives deals towards successful closure, and engages specialist counsel (local, external, etc.) as appropriate.
Coordinate internal and external counsel activities and proactively manage expenditure within budget; maintain responsibility for a continuous programme of education/improvement for external legal panel providers including engagement terms and commercial rates.
Provide thought leadership within the Legal Department through mentoring of more junior colleagues, by presenting/leading training and other forums to strengthen overall group performance; acts a strategic point person on designated Legal Department focus area; contribute as an effective team player by performing tasks independently and demonstrating sound judgement;
Contribute to building, implementing and enhancing the Legal Department’s policies and procedures, as required from time to time; provides advice and assistance with AFC’s contractual relationship with suppliers, and other procurement, operational or administrative issues; contributes to the monitoring of ongoing or threatened litigation and other material disputed events affecting AFC’s commercial/reputational interests; liaises with regulators and other market counterparties; contributes to the development and improvement of AFC’s legal standards and policies.