Senior Legal Counsel & Company Secretary

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Senior Legal Counsel & Company Secretary is accountable for the provision of strategic legal advisory services and ensures robust corporate governance, regulatory compliance, legal risk management and board administration across the organization. The incumbent serves as the principal legal advisor to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Management. 

 

The role has full accountability for the direction, oversight, and delivery of end-to-end legal services across the Bank’s operations, including legal advisory, contract management, litigation oversight, regulatory legal matters, and oversight of external legal counsel.

 

As Company Secretary, the incumbent supports the Board of Directors and its Committees by advising on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and Board procedures, and by ensuring the effective administration of Board and shareholder processes. The role ensures that statutory obligations, corporate records, and Board documentation are maintained with integrity and accuracy in accordance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and governance best practices.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Corporate Governance and Secretariat

  1. Serve as the appointed Company Secretary of the Bank, in accordance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and governance standards.
  2. Advise the Board of Directors and Board Committees on corporate governance obligations, fiduciary duties, and Board and Committee procedures.
  3. Oversee the coordination and administration of Board and Committee meetings, including the preparation, circulation, and quality assurance of agendas, papers, minutes, and resolutions.
  4. Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and proper maintenance of statutory registers, Board records, resolutions, and corporate governance documentation.
  5. Ensure the timely and accurate filing of statutory and regulatory documents relating to Board and corporate governance matters.
  6. Support the Board Chair and Committee Chairs on governance processes, meeting effectiveness, and sound decision-making practices.
  7. Manage and oversee governance-related communication between the Board, Executive Management, shareholders, and regulators, as required.
  8. Oversee the development, review, and maintenance of Board and Committee charters, governance policies, and by-laws.

B. Legal Governance, Advisory & Risk Management 

  1. Provide governance oversight of the Legal function and act as the Bank’s senior legal counsel, ensuring legal advice and support are effective, timely, risk-based, and aligned with the Bank’s objectives.
  2. Set and approve legal governance frameworks, standards, and protocols that guide the consistent and professional delivery of legal services across the Bank.
  3. Provide senior legal judgement and governance advice on high-risk, complex, novel, or sensitive matters escalated by the Legal Services function or Executive Management.
  4. Oversee the engagement, direction, and performance of external legal counsel, ensuring appropriate instruction, quality of advice, cost discipline, and alignment with governance expectations.
  5. Monitor legal risk themes, emerging legal and regulatory developments, and litigation trends, advising Executive Management on implications, options, and recommended courses of action.
  6. Drive continuous improvement in legal governance, legal reporting, and legal knowledge management to strengthen consistency, quality, and institutional capability.

C. Regulatory & Stakeholder Engagement

  1. Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Management on corporate governance, legal governance, and legal matters.
  2. Interface with regulators and external stakeholders and Counsel on matters relating to governance and the Company Secretary function, as required.
  3. Collaborate with other departments including Risk, Compliance, Finance, and Internal Audit as key stakeholders to support the Bank’s overall governance, assurance, and control framework.
  4. Promote a strong culture of governance, accountability, and ethical conduct across the Bank through advice, guidance, and leadership example.

D. Leadership & Control 

  1. Provide functional leadership and direction to the Legal Services function through the Senior Manager – Legal Services, ensuring clarity of roles, escalation, and accountability.
  2. Establish governance expectations, reporting requirements, and oversight mechanisms to support effective and disciplined legal services delivery.

E. People & Culture

  1. Employee Engagement & Culture – Champion engagement, inclusion, and ethical conduct within the Legal function; translate engagement insights into practical actions that strengthen morale, productivity, and retention; and visibly model GBTI’s Core Values and service culture.
  2. Talent, Capability & Succession – Partner with People Operations to identify critical roles and succession risks, support capability development, and contribute to future-ready talent pipelines through coaching, exposure, and on-the-job learning.
  3. Performance & Accountability – Promote fair, disciplined performance management within the Legal function; address underperformance constructively; recognise strong performance; and reinforce ethical standards and accountability.
  4. Change Leadership – Support and lead the people aspects of legal, digital, and process change initiatives, ensuring teams are informed, engaged, and supported through periods of transition.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a recognized university
  • Admitted to practice law in Guyana
  • Certificate in Governance would be preferred
  • Minimum of eight (8) years’ post-admission legal experience, with at least five (5) years in a senior legal leadership role, ideally within the financial services or banking sector.
  • Demonstrated experience in corporate governance, Board advisory support, and litigation management

 

REMUNERATION

Role Characteristics:

Scope of Influence

  • Enterprise-wide
  • Direct interaction with Board of Directors
  • Advisory influence over executive leadership

Risk Exposure

  • High legal and reputational risk
  • Regulatory non-compliance exposure
  • Contractual liability risks

Decision-Making Level

  • High-level advisory
  • Independent professional judgment required
  • Authority in governance matters

 

Knowledge/Skills and Abilities

  • Professional Leadership & Coaching – Provides guidance, coaching, and professional leadership to the legal team, setting clear expectations, reinforcing accountability, and supporting capability development.
  • Communication – Communicates clearly, confidently, and professionally at all levels, including Board and executive forums, to convey legal advice, governance matters, and expectations.
  • Judgement, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making – Exercises sound judgement in complex situations, anticipates issues, and provides timely, practical, and risk-aware solutions
  • Stakeholder & Service Orientation – Maintains a strong internal service mindset, supporting Executive Management, the Board, and business units with high-quality legal and governance advice.
  • Collaboration & Team Effectiveness – Builds strong working relationships across Legal, Risk, Compliance, Internal Audit, and business units to support effective governance and decision-making.
  • Adaptability & Resilience – Demonstrates resilience and flexibility in managing competing priorities, regulatory change, and sensitive matters.
  • Time & Priority Management – Effectively manages time, competing demands, and statutory deadlines to ensure delivery of critical governance and legal obligations.
  • Conflict Management – Addresses disagreements and conflicts constructively, applying sound judgement and professionalism to achieve sustainable outcomes.
  • Integrity & Ethical Leadership – Upholds the highest standards of ethical conduct, confidentiality, and professionalism, and reinforces ethical behaviour across the Bank.
  • Strategic Perspective – Applies strategic insight to legal and governance advice, ensuring alignment with the Bank’s objectives, risk appetite, and long-term direction.

    Change & Culture Leadership – Supports and leads change initiatives within the legal and governance space, role-modelling the Bank’s values and reinforcing a strong governance culture.

Only suitable applicants will be acknowledged

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