Head of Legal - International Assignment – Conakry, Guinea

Job description

We are looking for a senior, commercially minded and internationally experienced legal professional to provide strategic legal leadership and support executive decision-making in a complex mining and infrastructure environment. The successful candidate will act as a key legal adviser to the local Managing Director and senior leadership team , ensuring that legal risks are effectively managed while supporting major commercial, operational and regulatory decisions. This is a highly strategic position requiring strong leadership, corporate and commercial law expertise, government relations experience and the ability to operate in complex multicultural environments . Key Responsibilities Legal Leadership & Strategic Advisory Lead and manage the in-country legal function , ensuring effective legal support across business and project operations. Act as a trusted legal adviser to the Managing Director and senior leadership team . Provide strategic, commercially focused legal advice on complex business decisions. Coordinate with international legal teams and external legal advisers. Oversee legal priorities, resources, external counsel and associated budgets. Corporate, Commercial & Project Legal Matters Provide legal guidance on major commercial contracts, joint ventures, infrastructure agreements and corporate governance matters . Lead or support complex contractual negotiations involving international partners and stakeholders. Advise on regulatory obligations, operational requirements and contractual risks. Support legal matters relating to mining operations, infrastructure development, land access and project execution . Identify potential legal exposure and implement appropriate risk mitigation strategies. Government Relations & Regulatory Compliance Provide legal support for high-level interactions and negotiations with government authorities, ministries and regulators . Advise on applicable legal frameworks and regulatory requirements in Guinea. Manage sensitive legal matters, including disputes, investigations and external legal proceedings. Support engagement with public institutions and relevant stakeholders. Ethics, Governance & Risk Management Ensure compliance with applicable legal and regulatory obligations. Advise on anti-bribery, anti-corruption, competition law and corporate compliance requirements . Promote strong ethical standards and responsible business practices. Support internal governance processes and legal risk management initiatives. Qualified lawyer admitted to practise in at least one jurisdiction. Minimum 10 years of post-qualification legal experience (PQE). Strong corporate and commercial law expertise , including complex contractual negotiations. Proven experience in mining, infrastructure, natural resources or major industrial projects. Demonstrated experience in Africa or comparable emerging-market environments. Previous experience advising senior executives and business leadership on strategic legal matters. Excellent professional proficiency in both French and English. Strong knowledge of corporate governance, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance and legal risk management . Ability and willingness to work in Conakry, Guinea . The following experience would be particularly valuable: Previous experience in Guinea or West Africa. Experience working for a major international mining operator, natural resources company or infrastructure developer . Previous position as Head of Legal, Legal Director, General Counsel or Senior Corporate Counsel . Experience managing joint ventures, government negotiations and major infrastructure agreements . Exposure to large-scale mining developments, including construction and operational phases. Previous responsibility for leading legal teams or managing external counsel. Familiarity with complex multi-stakeholder environments involving international investors, governments and project partners. Leadership & Personal Competencies We are particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate: Strong leadership and independent decision-making capabilities. Excellent commercial judgment and strategic thinking. High-level negotiation and stakeholder management skills. Ability to influence and advise executive leadership. Integrity, discretion and a strong sense of professional ethics. A pragmatic, solution-oriented approach to legal challenges. Ability to work under pressure in a complex international environment. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. This opportunity offers the chance to contribute to a major international mining and infrastructure project in Guinea , operating at the intersection of commercial strategy, legal governance and large-scale industrial development. The successful candidate will work closely with senior decision-makers and international stakeholders, playing a central role in supporting the project's strategic and operational objectives. If you are an experienced legal leader with strong commercial expertise, international exposure and a background in major industrial or natural resources projects, we encourage you to apply. Join IOTA GROUP and contribute your expertise to one of Africa's most significant industrial development environments. IOTA GROUP is an international recruitment and technical services company specialising in the energy, mining, infrastructure and natural resources sectors . As part of a direct recruitment assignment on behalf of one of our prestigious international clients , a leading global group in the mining and natural resources industry , we are currently seeking a highly experienced Head of Legal – Senior Corporate Counsel for a strategic position based in Conakry, Guinea . This is a direct-hire opportunity with our client , offering the successful candidate the chance to take on a key leadership role within a major international mining and infrastructure project . The selected candidate will join our client's organisation directly and play a central role in providing strategic legal advice, supporting executive management and overseeing complex legal and regulatory matters.