Legal Manager - Banking and Financial Services

About the role

A well-established financial institution in Papua New Guinea is recruiting an experienced Legal Manager to join its in-house legal team in Port Moresby. Working closely with senior legal leadership and internal business stakeholders, the successful candidate provides practical legal support across commercial, regulatory and operational matters, with exposure to banking operations, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, commercial agreements and legal risk management.

Key responsibilities

• Provide practical, commercially sound legal advice on day-to-day business operations.
• Manage legal disputes, claims and litigation, including coordination with external legal counsel.
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts, agreements and legal documentation.
• Support lending, securities, debt recovery and enforcement matters.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities, statutory bodies and government departments.
• Handle land-related matters, including engagement with the Department of Lands and Physical Planning.
• Identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks in line with PNG legislation.
• Assist with corporate governance, policy interpretation and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to improvements in legal processes, documentation and compliance practices.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent recognised legal qualification.
• Admission to practice in the National and Supreme Courts of Papua New Guinea, with current practising status.
• Approximately 5-7 years or more of post-admission legal experience.
• Experience in commercial law, banking, financial services or regulatory law.
• Exposure to disputes, litigation, recoveries or enforcement matters.
• Sound understanding of PNG legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Class 3 PNG driver's license.
• Previous experience in a bank, regulated financial institution or commercial law firm is highly regarded; candidates ready to move up from Legal Officer, Senior Legal Officer, Associate or Senior Associate are encouraged to apply.

Required skills

• Strong legal drafting, negotiation and contract review skills.
• Experience engaging with regulatory authorities and external legal counsel.
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and organisational skills.