Deputy General Counsel

Job Summary

The Deputy General Counsel serves as a critical legal advisor and operational leader, working under the leadership of the General Counsel to oversee the legal, regulatory, and compliance functions of The Elevation Church. This role ensures that the Church’s global operations adhere to applicable laws across multiple jurisdictions, supports its global expansion efforts. 

The Deputy General Counsel will be responsible to manage complex legal negotiations, drive regulatory and compliance initiatives to facilitate global missions, and foster seamless coordination within the church’s leadership structure. This position demands a proactive, strategic thinker with exceptional legal expertise, cultural adaptability, and the ability to manage diverse stakeholders in a dynamic, faith-based environment.

Job Details

Key Responsibilities:

1. Legal Function:

1. Contract Negotiation and Management:

• Lead the negotiation, drafting, review, and execution of a wide range of complex agreements critical to the church’s operations. These include, but are not limited to, property transactions (sales, purchases, rentals, and leases), title perfection processes, facility management contracts, equipment supply and maintenance agreements, and other commercial or ministry-related contracts with vendors, partners, and stakeholders. Ensure all agreements are legally sound, mitigate risks, and align with the church’s strategic objectives and mission-driven values. Conduct thorough due diligence to verify compliance with local and international laws, and collaborate with relevant departments to incorporate operational and financial considerations into contract terms.

1. External Legal Counsel Coordination:

• Manage the engagement and performance of external law firms retained by the church (including those on pro-bono basis) to provide specialized legal, regulatory, or advisory services. Serve, alongside the General Counsel, as primary liaison, drafting clear instructions, setting performance benchmarks, and monitoring progress to ensure high-quality, timely, and cost-effective service delivery. 
• Maintain detailed records of legal engagements, including budgets, scopes of work, and outcomes, to optimize resource allocation. Evaluate the effectiveness of external counsel through regular performance reviews and recommend adjustments to engagement strategies to enhance efficiency and alignment with the church’s priorities.

1. Dispute Resolution and Litigation Oversight:

• Strategic management and resolution of conflicts, disputes, claims, or litigation involving the church, ensuring minimal disruption to its operations and reputation. Conduct comprehensive risk assessments, developing mitigation strategies, and preparing legal documentation to support the church’s position. Support the engagement and supervision of external solicitors, ensuring alignment with the church’s objectives and cost considerations. 
• Proactively identify potential legal vulnerabilities through trend analysis and recommend preventive measures, such as alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, to reduce the likelihood of escalation and foster amicable resolutions.

1. Legal Advisory Services:

• Provide comprehensive legal research and advisory support to the church’s Management, Senior Leadership, and operational teams on a diverse array of legal, regulatory, and compliance issues. Deliver precise, actionable, and mission-aligned guidance on topics such as corporate governance, property transaction, intellectual property, labour law and practice, non-profit regulations etc.. 
• Leverage advanced legal research tools and stay abreast of legislative and regulatory developments to anticipate challenges and inform decision-making. 
• Present complex legal concepts in clear, accessible language to non-legal stakeholders, fostering informed strategic choices that balance legal compliance with the church’s spiritual and operational goals.

1. Policy Formulation and Monitoring

• Collaborate with the General Counsel and the Office of the Global Lead Pastor to develop, implement, and maintain internal legal and compliance policies that govern the church’s operations across domestic and international jurisdictions. 
• Draft and review policies related to ministry operations, risk management, ethical conduct, data protection, and reporting, human resources, volunteer management etc. to ensure alignment with applicable laws and the church’s values. 
• Conduct periodic policy audits to identify gaps or areas for improvement, and work with relevant departments to integrate policies into operational workflows. 
• Conduct policy awareness training initiatives to educate staff and leadership on policy adherence, fostering a culture of compliance and accountability throughout the organization.

2. Regulatory and Compliance:

1. Compliance Oversight

• Ensure that all operations of The Elevation Church, across domestic and international jurisdictions, adhere rigorously to applicable laws, statutory regulations, and legal instruments governing nonprofit organizations, tax exemptions, and ministry activities. 
• Develop and maintain comprehensive compliance frameworks and incorporate risk-based monitoring systems to ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards.
• Conduct periodic compliance audits using advanced data analytics tools to identify potential vulnerabilities and implement corrective measures promptly. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate compliance protocols into operational workflows, delivering targeted training to staff and leadership to foster a culture of legal integrity and accountability aligned with the church’s values.

1. Regulatory Strategy and Engagement:

• Develop and execute a robust regulatory engagement strategy to cultivate and sustain productive relationships with government agencies, regulatory bodies, and external stakeholders at international, national, state, and local levels. 
• Represent the church in high-level regulatory negotiations, advocacy efforts, and policy discussions to address operational challenges and secure favorable regulatory outcomes.
• Monitor global regulatory and geopolitical trends to anticipate risks and opportunities, providing strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Partner with external legal and regulatory advisors to ensure the church’s positions are robustly articulated and aligned with its long-term strategic objectives.

1. Filings and Reporting:

• Oversee the preparation, review, and timely submission of all mandatory regulatory filings, including annual returns, financial statements, tax compliance documents, and other disclosures required by government agencies in all jurisdictions where the church operates.
• Ensure filings are accurate, compliant with local and international standards, and submitted within deadlines to avoid penalties or reputational risks. 
• Implement streamlined processes and leverage compliance management software to track filing obligations, maintain organized records, and ensure consistency across all submissions. 
• Provide guidance to internal teams on documentation standards and regulatory expectations, enhancing the quality and reliability of all reports.

1. Regulatory Enquiries and Audits

• Manage responses to information requests, enquiries, or audits from regulatory authorities with precision, professionalism, and strategic foresight. 
• Develop cohesive response strategies, coordinating with relevant departments to compile accurate data and produce legally sound submissions that safeguard the church’s interests. 
• Maintain detailed, centralized records of all regulatory interactions, including correspondence, logs, and databases, to ensure transparency and facilitate future compliance efforts. 
• Proactively prepare for audits by conducting internal reviews, stress-testing compliance systems, and ensuring the church remains audit-ready, with processes in place to demonstrate full regulatory adherence.

1. Corporate Governance and Entity Management

• Support the General Counsel in overseeing corporate governance and the management of all Elevation Church entities globally, ensuring alignment with best practices and legal requirements. 
• Facilitate the organization and execution of board of trustee meetings for all entities, including preparing agendas, drafting resolutions, and ensuring accurate minute-taking and follow-up on action items. 
• Manage governance processes, such as board appointments, policy approvals, and conflict-of-interest disclosures, to uphold transparency and accountability. Oversee statutory filings for all entities, maintaining a centralized register to track obligations (e.g., annual returns, tax filings, and corporate registrations) across jurisdictions.
• Produce regular compliance reports to provide management with actionable insights into the compliance status of all entities, enabling informed decision-making. 
• Serve as a key liaison between the boards of related entities and the Global Office/HQ, ensuring seamless communication, alignment on strategic priorities, and resolution of governance-related issues. 
• Implement training programs for board members and entity leaders to enhance governance literacy and ensure consistent application of policies. 
• Proactively identify governance risks and recommend enhancements to policies and processes to strengthen the church’s global governance framework.

3. Global Missions and Establishments:

1. Strategic Support for Global Expansion

• Collaborate closely with the General Counsel and the Global Missions’ Office to design and execute a comprehensive strategy for The Elevation Church’s global missions and expansion, ensuring alignment with the church’s vision and long-term objectives. 
• Provide strategic legal and operational guidance to identify viable regions for establishing new church expressions, conducting in-depth market and regulatory analyses to assess feasibility and prioritize opportunities. 
• Develop detailed expansion road-maps, incorporating timelines, resource allocation plans, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure successful launches. 
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including finance, operations, and ministry departments, to align expansion initiatives with organizational capabilities and budgetary constraints. 
• Facilitate the creation of governance structures for new expressions, ensuring compliance with local laws and seamless integration with the church’s global framework. 
• In conjunction with the Global Missions Office, monitor and evaluate the performance of expansion initiatives using key performance indicators (KPIs), such as membership growth and operational stability, to refine strategies and drive continuous improvement. 
• Engage with local stakeholders to navigate cultural, legal, and logistical complexities, in a way that builds sustainable growth and ministry penetration globally. 

Requirements

Educational Qualifications:

• Law degree from an accredited institution and active licensure to practice law in relevant jurisdictions. Masters degree in international law, nonprofit management, or corporate governance are a plus.
• A qualified lawyer with a Master’s Degree (LL.M) from a recognized and accredited University in a relevant jurisdiction, with a minimum of second class (lower) law degree (LL.B) grade. 
• A Master’s degree is an added advantage. 
• 10-12 years of legal experience in corporate law, nonprofit regulations, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance, with expertise in navigating diverse jurisdictional requirements.

Relevant Experience and Expertise 

1. Corporate Governance and Entity Management
2. Commercial Legal, Drafting and Communication:

• Proven experience overseeing governance processes for multiple entities, including board of trustee meetings, statutory filings, and compliance tracking.
• Ability to develop governance frameworks, maintain a centralized register of statutory obligations, and produce compliance reports for management decision-making.
• Skilled in acting as a liaison between global entity boards and the Global Office/HQ to ensure alignment and seamless communication.
• Deep knowledge of contract law, property law, data protection, and global regulatory frameworks for compliance and risk mitigation.
• Strong negotiation skills to secure favorable contract terms, regulatory outcomes, and partnership agreements while upholding the church’s interests and values.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills to articulate complex legal, regulatory, and governance concepts to diverse audiences, including non-legal stakeholders, board members, and global partners. 

1. Strategic Planning and Cultural Adaptability
2. Leadership and Collaboration
3. Technology, Ethics, and Organizational Proficiency

• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills to support global expansion, including market analyses, risk assessments, and development of expansion road-maps with key performance indicators (KPIs).
• High cultural sensitivity and adaptability to work effectively across diverse international contexts, with experience navigating cultural, legal, and logistical complexities in global operations. Ability to tailor strategies to local needs while maintaining alignment with the church’s global mission and values.
• Demonstrated leadership in supervising teams, mentoring personnel, and managing external counsel, with experience training board members and staff on governance and compliance.
• Exceptional collaboration skills to work with finance, operations, and ministry teams, fostering cross-functional alignment and driving strategic initiatives.
• Outstanding communication and negotiation abilities to articulate complex legal and regulatory concepts to diverse stakeholders, including non-legal audiences.
• Proficiency in legal research platforms, compliance management software, and data analytics tools to streamline filings, audits, and governance processes.
• Unwavering commitment to ethical conduct, confidentiality, and the church’s mission-driven values, handling sensitive matters with discretion.
• Superior project management and organizational skills to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and complex projects in a fast-paced global environment.

Attitude and Behavioural Traits

• Broad-based positive attitude, a strong desire to work as a member of a high-performance global team. 
• Be collaborative, open to working with a diverse group, and interested in dynamic, progressive and evolving work responsibilities.
• A vibrant personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour 
• Demonstrates the virtues and qualities of a devoted follower of Jesus Christ
• Embodiment of the ASHLIE values of The Elevation Church
• Teachable, willing to learn and must be a self-starter with capacity for lateral thinking.
• High-energy and willing to take on responsibilities beyond the call of duty. 

About Company

The Elevation Church

https://elevationng.org/

The Elevation Church is a nondenominational, multi-location of 20,000 members religious organization. It exists to develop its members as witnesses of Christ, empowering them to attain the highest level of distinction and greatness while serving God and humanity.