Equity Bank is one of the region’s leading banks whose purpose is to transform the lives and livelihoods of the people of Africa socially and economically by availing them modern and inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities. With a strong footprint in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and DRC Congo, Equity Bank is now home to over 12 million customers – the largest customer base in Africa. Currently the Bank is seeking additional talent to serve in the role of Legal Operations Manager as outlined below.

Job Purpose

The Legal Operations Manager supports the Head of Legal Operations in streamlining and managing the operational aspects of the legal department to enhance efficiency and effectiveness and ensure compliance with regulatory, operational, and strategic goals. The role involves overseeing legal processes, managing budgets, implementing operational frameworks, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, and driving initiatives and implementing technology and systems to optimize the department’s performance.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Operations Management:

• Oversee the day-to-day operational activities of the legal department, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of services.
• Develop and implement processes, policies, and workflows to improve legal team efficiency.
• Monitor the department’s performance against established KPIs and prepare reports for the Head of Legal Operations

Budget and Cost Management:

• Assist in managing the legal department’s budget, including forecasting, tracking, and controlling expenses.
• Negotiate fees and manage relationships with external counsel and legal service providers to ensure cost efficiency.

Process Improvement and Technology Integration:

• Identify areas for process improvement within the legal department and implement initiatives to increase efficiency and productivity.
• Facilitate the adoption of legal technology solutions, such as matter management systems, e-discovery tools, document management tools and contract automation platforms.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Support compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards in legal operations.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks within the legal department.  Contract and Document Management: 
• Oversee the management of contracts and legal documentation, ensuring proper filing, accessibility, and compliance.
• Ensure contracts are tracked, monitored, and renewed or terminated in a timely manner.

External Counsel and Vendor Management:

• Maintain relationships with external legal counsel and service providers.
• Monitor performance of external counsel to ensure timely and quality delivery of services.
• Maintain an updated database of external vendors and their performance metrics.

Reporting and Analytics:

• Generate reports and provide insights on legal department performance, budgets, and external counsel usage.
• Track key metrics related to legal matters, including case progress, costs, and risk exposures.

Documentation and Records Management:

• Ensure the effective management, organization, and storage of legal documents, contracts, and case files in accordance with regulatory and internal policies.
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of secure document management systems.

Training and Development:

• Facilitate training programs for the legal team on operational processes, technology, and compliance.
• Support capacity building initiatives within the legal department.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Act as a point of contact between the legal department and other internal departments for operational matters.
• Provide regular updates to the Head of Legal Operations on key issues and developments.

Qualifications & Experience 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in law, Business Administration, or a related field. Master’s degree or certification in Project Management, Legal Operations, or Business Process Management is an advantage.
• Professional Qualifications such as admission as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate, with certifications in legal operations or project management would be beneficial
• Experience: Minimum of 6–8 years of experience in a legal or legal operations role, with at least 2–3 years in a managerial capacity.
• Experience in banking or financial services is highly preferred.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of legal operations, contract management, and compliance.
• Proficiency in legal technology and systems such as matter management and e-billing tools.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Efficiency in managing legal department processes and workflows.
• Successful implementation and utilization of legal technology.
• Budget adherence and cost efficiency in legal operations.
• Timeliness and accuracy of reports and analytics.
• Quality of stakeholder relationships and vendor management.