Legal Manager – Corporate & IP

About the role

The Legal Manager will lead the company’s corporate legal affairs, intellectual property portfolio, and dispute resolution activities. Reporting to senior management, the role ensures compliance with Kenyan commercial law and FMCG regulatory standards while supporting business growth.

Key responsibilities

• Review and negotiate contracts, manage templates, and oversee contract execution.
• Handle company incorporation, amendments, deregistration, licensing and permit matters.
• Draft powers of attorney, commercial correspondence, transaction documents and other legal paperwork.
• Manage trademark, patent and copyright filings, renewals, oppositions, cancellations and related litigation.
• Monitor infringement cases, coordinate enforcement actions and maintain evidence of brand use.
• Lead dispute and litigation matters, assess risks, develop response strategies and maintain case records.
• Provide legal training, day‑to‑day advisory, due diligence for major projects and monitor regulatory changes.
• Develop and maintain a database of external counsel, evaluate performance and manage external legal resources.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Law or a related discipline.
• Valid practicing certificate / Advocate’s license.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant legal experience, preferably in FMCG or manufacturing, with both law‑firm and in‑house exposure.
• Strong knowledge of Kenyan commercial, corporate, contract, labor, consumer protection and intellectual property law.
• Familiarity with FMCG regulatory compliance such as product labeling, advertising and quality standards.
• Understanding of corporate registration and licensing procedures.

Required skills