Contract Management Lead At Dangote

Reports To: Head of Legal

Job Summary

• The Contract Management Lead is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end contract management function, ensuring that all contracts are effectively structured, reviewed, negotiated, and administered in line with the Company's commercial objectives, risk appetite, and regulatory requirements.
• The role provides leadership to the contract management team and ensures timely, accurate, and compliant delivery of contract-related activities across all business units.
• The position drives the implementation of robust contract management processes, ensures alignment of contractual arrangements with business and operational needs, and supports risk mitigation, compliance, and value realization.
• The role also serves as a key escalation point for complex contractual matters and supports the Acting Head of Legal in managing contractual risk and strengthening overall governance within the organization.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the end-to-end contract lifecycle across the organization, ensuring timely drafting, review, negotiation, execution, and close-out of all commercial agreements.
• Oversee the preparation and negotiation of complex and high-value contracts (including NDAs, EPC-related agreements, supply and service contracts, licensing and consultancy agreements) to ensure alignment with company objectives and risk appetite.
• Provide strategic direction and final review on contractual positions, ensuring legal adequacy, commercial viability, and compliance with applicable laws and internal policies.
• Supervise and guide the Contract Management team (Analysts and Specialists), ensuring quality, consistency, and timely delivery of contract management activities.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex contractual issues, disputes, and negotiations, and drive resolution in coordination with internal stakeholders and external counterparties.
• Establish and enforce contract management processes, standards, and templates in line with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure full compliance with procurement procedures, internal controls, and corporate governance standards in all contract-related activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Finance, Supply Chain, Operations, Projects, etc.) to align contract terms with commercial, financial, and operational objectives.
• Oversee the review and approval of key contractual instruments such as bank guarantees, bonds, and indemnities, and guide preparation of related enforcement documentation where required.
• Monitor contract performance and compliance, ensuring that key obligations, milestones, deliverables, and risk exposures are effectively tracked and managed.
• Ensure proper documentation, record-keeping, and maintenance of a centralized contracts database to support audit, reporting, and institutional knowledge.
• Provide periodic reports to senior management on contract status, key risks, disputes, and overall contract performance.
• Support the Acting Head of Legal in advising management on contractual risk exposure, negotiation strategy, and mitigation measures.
• Drive continuous improvement in contract management systems, tools, and processes to enhance efficiency and risk control.
• Provide training, mentorship, and technical guidance to team members and relevant stakeholders on contract management practices.

Key Requirements

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B).
• Barrister-at-Law (B.L.) and qualification to practice in Nigeria.
• A Master's degree in Law (LL.M) or related field is an added advantage.
• Professional Qualification:
• Membership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is required.
• Membership of relevant professional bodies (e.g., Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN)) is an added advantage.
• Desired Experience:
• Minimum of 10 years' post-qualification experience in legal and contract management roles.
• Significant experience in drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and managing complex commercial contracts, preferably within a manufacturing, oil & gas, or multinational organization.
• Proven experience in leading or supervising contract management teams and overseeing contract lifecycle processes.

Functional Competencies:

Technical / Functional Skills (Must Have):

• Strong knowledge of contract law, commercial transactions, and corporate governance principles.
• Extensive experience in drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and managing complex commercial contracts across the full contract lifecycle.
• Deep understanding of regulatory requirements and industry-specific compliance obligations within a manufacturing or refinery environment.
• Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate contractual, legal, and commercial risks.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes, internal controls, and corporate policies.
• Expertise in contract management systems, documentation standards, and audit requirements.
• Sound understanding of dispute resolution mechanisms, including litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
• Strong commercial awareness, including pricing structures, financial implications, and risk allocation in contracts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and contract management systems.

Behavioural / Soft Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound judgments on complex contractual issues.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence outcomes at senior levels.
• Strong leadership and team management capability, including mentoring and development of junior team members.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with high attention to clarity and detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
• High level of organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership, and drive outcomes with minimal supervision.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and adherence to confidentiality and corporate standards.