Legal Manager (Agriculture) – Nairobi

About the role

An agricultural company based in Nairobi, recruited through Summit Recruitment & Search, is looking for a dynamic, commercially astute Legal Manager. The role is that of a strategic business partner who supports growth and expansion by giving practical, solutions-oriented legal advice, helping the business make confident decisions while managing legal and regulatory risk. The position also acts as the Certified Company Secretary to the Board.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts (supply chain, export, vendor and sales agreements) with a focus on speed and commercial value.
• Manage intellectual property and trade issues, domestic and export.
• Serve as the Certified Company Secretary to the Board, ensuring efficient administration of Board and Committee meetings.
• Ensure full compliance with the Companies Act and other statutory requirements, and oversee compliance with statutory bodies and environmental regulations.
• Identify legal risks and propose mitigation strategies.
• Manage litigation by instructing external counsel effectively, keeping costs in check and pursuing settlement opportunities.
• Manage land and property matters, including leases and community relations, to protect the company's estates.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a recognized university.
• Certified Public Secretary (CPS-K) and a Post-graduate Diploma in Law (KSL).
• Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya is mandatory.
• Minimum of 8+ years of post-qualification experience, ideally in a corporate or in-house environment.
• Proven experience acting as Company Secretary for a reputable board; EPZ or SEZ experience is an added advantage.

Required skills

• Ability to understand how legal decisions affect the bottom line.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and making quick decisions.
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts simply to non-lawyers.
• Strong skills in closing deals favourable to the company.