Legal Manager Ãâ¢ã‚â€ã‚â“ Warehouses & Corporate Leases At Aava Brands

Job Overview

• AAVA Brands Limited is seeking a qualified, corporate-minded Lawyer to fill the role of Legal Manager.
• Based in Nigeria, you will take full ownership of our expanding commercial portfolio, specifically managing warehouses and logistics facilities rented from third-party landlords.
• Part of your primary objective will be to de-risk our leasehold portfolio, handle aggressive landlord-tenant negotiations, and ensure that all rented properties structurally and legally support our supply chain operations in compliance with Nigerian property laws.

Core Responsibilities

• Legal drafting: Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements including supplier, Leases and Deeds of sublease.
• Review, draft, and negotiate commercial lease agreements and deeds of sublease. Ensure terms regarding rent review clauses, service charges, and long-term tenancies safeguard AAVA Brands.
• Landlord & Estate Management: Serve as the primary liaison with third-party landlords, facility managers, and estate agents. Promptly resolve conflicts regarding structural repairs, common area maintenance, and utility allocations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all leased warehouses comply with state-specific urban planning regulations (e.g., LASBCA guidelines in Lagos), environmental standards. Provide pragmatic legal advice to business units on commercial, corporate and regulatory matters.
• Prepare clear, concise legal reports and summaries for senior management and stakeholders. Identify and deliver process improvements to enhance legal department efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, advising on regulatory change and its business impact.
• Conduct legal risk assessments and provide concise summaries and recommended mitigations for senior stakeholders.
• Tenancy Law Administration: Manage statutory notices, lease renewals, and exits in strict accordance with relevant local laws, such as the Tenancy Law of Lagos State or applicable jurisdiction.
• Financial & Tax Administration: Validate annual rent, caution fees, and service charges. Collaborate with the finance team to ensure correct processing of Withholding Tax (WHT) deductions and statutory stamp duties on leases.
• Dispute Resolution: Mitigate legal risks and represent the company's corporate interests in preliminary landlord dispute resolutions, avoiding protracted litigation wherever possible.
• Develop, maintain and implement legal policies, templates and standard clauses to reduce risk and improve consistency.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Zero operational disruptions or forced evictions due to delayed lease renewals or poorly managed notice windows.
• 100% compliance score across all leased warehouses regarding statutory fire, environmental, and building safety permits.
• Measurable cost reductions on service charges and rent reviews through strategic negotiation.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from an accredited university and a Barrister-at-Law (B.L) certificate from the Nigerian Law School.
• Bar Admission: Duly called to the Nigerian Bar and in good standing with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of active post-call experience, specifically handling commercial real estate transactions, corporate tenancy management, or property law in Nigeria.
• Skills: Proficient in Nigerian land law procedures (including Governor's consent dynamics and registration where applicable). Excellent dispute resolution, communication, and contract drafting capabilities.
• Excellent drafting, analytical and drafting skills with strong attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness and ability to provide business focussed legal advice.
• Effective stakeholder management and communication skills at all levels.
• Ability to prioritise workload, work to deadlines and manage multiple matters concurrently.
• High ethical standards and commitment to professional conduct and confidentiality.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a pragmatic approach to legal risk.