Head of Legal at Serena Hotels
Job Purpose:
The Head of Legal will oversee the legal operations for the
Serena group of companies and will provide legal support to the Managing
Director and the Board in ensuring compliance with the statutory and regulatory
requirements with regard to the group’s operations.
The role is responsible for: drafting, reviewing, and
negotiation of strategic company agreements, case management, advice on dispute
prevention and resolution, handling conveyancing matters and transactions,
managing the Company’s commercial and corporate transactions and executing
various legal projects that may arise from time to time, while continuously
managing external relationships relating to the role.
Key Responsibilities
MARKET LEADERSHIP
- Liaise
with and assist external Counsel in the discharge of their obligation to
the Serena Hotels group.
- Research
and prepare legal opinions on any civil or criminal matters including
claims for compensation against the Company, and employment related
matters.
- Draft
and/or review legal documents, contracts and agreements and monitor legal
obligations under agreements to ensure compliance and prevent disputes.
- Assist
in the formulation, implementation and/or amendment of Company policies.
- Guide
and manage external Legal audits.
- Auditing
and identifying any potential risks and exposures and putting together
mitigation measures.
LEADERSHIP IN PRODUCT AND SERVICE
- Initiate,
pursue and guide legal proceedings as required by the Company i.e.,
preparation of defenses, submissions and other pleadings in civil cases
both “for and against” the Company.
- Guide
in preparation, filing and pleading of cases in commercial courts or
criminal courts.
- Advise
on civil matters or criminal matters that should be directed to external
counsel.
- Advise
and manage the Company’s lease and licenses obligations under property
leases.
- Conduct
thorough legal research, analyse findings, and provide well-informed
opinions on complex legal issues, contributing to informed decision-making
- Submit
quarterly case reports and regulatory updates to Management and the Board
of Directors.
- Cause
to be maintained, a register of the status of all court matters involving
the Company.
MANAGING, GROWING AND RETAINING MARKET SHARE
- Undertake
review of all strategic contracts and service level agreements with
suppliers and service providers and other external parties to ensure they
protect the interests of the business and minimize potential disputes.
- Guide
the Company on all regulatory changes affecting the business and operations.
- Ensure
that the Business Intellectual property (IP) is always secured through IP
audits.
COST MANAGEMENT AND REVENUE IMPROVEMENT
- Represent
the Company in arbitration and mediation proceedings.
- Guide
external counsel in understanding matters that need defending in Courts of
law.
- Negotiate
fees with external Counsel for the Company to ensure value for money in
the provision of services and legal representation.
- Provide
sound legal advice to the Company on all regulatory notices and
registrations to ensure compliance and make recommendations to Management
as necessary together with provision of sound legal advice to manage
business operation risks.
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT
- Guide
the Business on all staff-related cases to ensure compliance with Labour
Laws and all applicable laws in order to minimize ligation risks.
- Identifying
capacity gaps in relevant regulations and develop initiatives to mitigate
the risks.
SUSTAINABILITY
- Guide
the Business in all sustainability and environmental conservation related
legislation to ensure compliance and minimize exposure to litigation.
- Provide
legal support during Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) related
Audits.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION
- Bachelor
of Law (LLB) from a recognized University
- Post
Graduate Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law (Desirable)
- An
advocate of the High Court of Kenya
- Member
of the Law Society of Kenya in good standing
- Minimum
experience of 8 years in the corporate sector or reputable law practice
- Understanding
of the Capital Markets and Nairobi Securities Exchange is an added
advantage.
- Certified
Public Secretary and membership to the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries
of Kenya is an added advantage.
COMPETENCIES
- Technical
understanding of the Company’s business, operations and legal structure.
- Excellent
interpersonal communication at all levels (verbal and written).
- Problem
solving and analytical skills, including attention to detail.
- Ability
to multi-task, meet deadlines and work under occasional pressure.
- Ability
to cope with high levels of responsibility in the strictest of confidence.
- Ability
to work well within the team at all levels.
- A high
level of on-the-job professionalism is a prerequisite at all times.
- Computer
Literacy, particularly MS Word.
- Be
conversant with employment and commercial laws of Kenya, including due
legal processes.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their CV and cover
letter to jobvacancy.kenya@serenahotels.com before 26th
June 2026.
Head of Risk & Compliance at Tourism Promotion Services (TPS) – Serena Hotels (Nairobi)
Head of Risk & Compliance at Tourism Promotion
Services (TPS) – Serena Hotels (Africa)
Position Details
- Job
Title: Head of Risk & Compliance
- Location: Regional
Head Office, Nairobi, Kenya
- Reports
To: Group Managing Director and the Board Audit & Risk
Committee (BARC)
- Travel
Requirement: Extensive regional travel
- Application
Deadline: 6th March 2026
- Application
Email: Jobvacancy.kenya@serenahotels.com
Role Overview
The Head of Risk & Compliance has overall responsibility
for leading the enterprise risk management and compliance function across TPS
operations in Africa.
The role ensures that risk management and compliance
activities are aligned with regulatory requirements and global best practices
across the company’s business and financial operations. The position works
closely with senior leadership and the Board Audit & Risk Committee to
strengthen governance, internal controls, and risk mitigation frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
Risk Management & Compliance
- Conduct
annual reviews of the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework and risk
appetite policies
- Update
and monitor the enterprise risk register
- Develop
and oversee implementation of risk mitigation strategies
- Monitor
and report on Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) to BARC
- Provide
risk assessment reports and track implementation of mitigation
recommendations
- Ensure
compliance of systems and processes with company policies and regulatory
standards
- Maintain
whistleblowing channels and provide periodic reports to BARC
- Build
professional linkages with regulatory bodies across operating countries
- Recommend
policy amendments based on emerging risks
Leadership & Governance
- Provide
strategic leadership to the Risk & Compliance function
- Embed
risk identification within operational procedures
- Strengthen
and maintain effective internal control systems
- Ensure
the Board is regularly apprised of prevailing enterprise risks
Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Bachelor’s
degree in Risk Management, Business Management, Commerce, Data Science,
Actuarial Science, or a related field from a recognized university
- A
Master’s degree will be an added advantage
Experience
- Minimum
of 8 years’ experience
- At
least 4 years in a managerial or leadership role
- Experience
in hospitality, Big-4 consulting, or banking industry is preferred
Professional Certifications (any of the following)
- Chartered
Risk and Compliance Analyst (CRA/CCA)
- Risk
Management Assurance (CRMA)
- Risk
and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
- Professional
Risk Manager (PRM)
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send their job application and
CV on or before 6th March 2026 to: Jobvacancy.kenya@serenahotels.com