Senior Manager Financial Services – Legal & Regulatory

Safaricom is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Manager Financial Services – Legal & Regulatory to join its Legal Services Centre of Excellence. This role is ideal for professionals searching for legal and regulatory jobs in Kenya, financial services regulatory careers, fintech legal jobs Nairobi, or senior legal advisor opportunities at Safaricom. The position holder will act as the lead Legal, Policy, and Regulatory Affairs Business Partner for the Financial Services Cluster and the Public Sector Digital Transformation Centre of Excellence.

Key Job Information

• Position: Senior Manager Financial Services – Legal & Regulatory
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Experience Level: Senior Leadership
• Application Deadline: 28/11/2025

About Safaricom

Safaricom is the leading telecommunications provider in East Africa and a market leader in digital financial solutions. The company’s purpose is to transform lives by connecting customers to opportunities, information, and the digital economy. With over 42 million customers, Safaricom drives Kenya’s socioeconomic growth, supporting over one million jobs directly and indirectly. The company remains at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of connectivity, mobile money, enterprise solutions, and digital transformation.

Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Safaricom continues to solidify its presence as one of Africa’s most influential technology companies, generating KES 298 Billion in annual revenue. Its pioneering products—most notably M-PESA—have positioned the brand as a global leader in fintech innovation and financial inclusion. Safaricom fosters a dynamic culture rooted in integrity, customer obsession, innovation, and purpose-driven impact.

The organisation values strategic thinkers, collaborative leaders, and legal experts who thrive in fast-evolving environments. This role represents a significant opportunity for individuals seeking impactful legal and regulatory careers at Safaricom, with influence across the financial, digital, and public sector ecosystems.

Job Description

The Senior Manager Financial Services – Legal & Regulatory will provide expert legal advisory support, regulatory guidance, policy engagement, and cross-functional leadership. Reporting to the CoE Lead, Legal Services, the role ensures the Financial Services and Public Sector Digital Transformation teams remain fully compliant with evolving laws, fintech regulations, privacy frameworks, licensing requirements, and digital governance standards.

The position will lead strategic regulatory engagement with financial, fintech, and public sector regulatory bodies. It will oversee commercial contracting, legal research, legislative monitoring, compliance management, risk mitigation, and dispute resolution. Additionally, the role serves as custodian of critical compliance documentation, including registers of licenses, inspections, sanctions, and regulatory correspondence.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Engagement & Advocacy

• Lead proactive engagement with financial services, digital finance, and fintech regulators to influence policy agendas and regulatory frameworks.
• Represent Safaricom in policy consultations, regulatory hearings, industry forums, and stakeholder working groups.
• Secure favourable regulatory outcomes and mitigate risks through targeted advocacy strategies.
• Build trusted long-term relationships with regulatory bodies and government authorities.

Legal Advisory, Risk Management & Dispute Resolution

• Provide expert legal counsel on complex commercial, fintech, public sector digital transformation, and financial services matters.
• Embed compliance-by-design, privacy-by-design, and governance-by-design principles across product lifecycles.
• Identify and mitigate legal, regulatory, and operational risks across financial services operations.
• Manage disputes, oversee litigation, and provide timely updates to leadership on contentious matters.

Contractual Management & Negotiation

• Draft, negotiate, and review high-value commercial agreements, partnerships, and strategic collaborations.
• Maintain updated customer-facing templates such as consumer T&Cs, B2C agreements, C2B contracts, and agent agreements.
• Ensure legal documentation aligns with regulatory changes and organisational priorities.

Policy, Legislative Monitoring & Compliance

• Conduct continuous monitoring of legislative and regulatory developments affecting fintech, AML, digital finance, and digital public infrastructure.
• Prepare briefs, risk analyses, and strategic recommendations for leadership.
• Maintain compliance registers, track inspections, and manage regulatory reporting obligations.
• Champion adherence to governance frameworks and regulatory standards.

Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Collaborate with Finance, Risk, Public Sector Digital Transformation, and global Vodafone/Vodacom counterparts.
• Drive legal strategy alignment with organisational goals and regulatory priorities.
• Mentor and develop legal professionals in fintech regulation, policy engagement, and commercial law.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and high ethical standards.

Required Qualifications

• At least 10 years’ progressive experience in commercial law within financial services or telecommunications.
• Minimum 3 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record in regulatory engagement, complex contract negotiation, and dispute resolution.
• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from a reputable Commonwealth University.
• Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and KSL Diploma holder.
• Member of the Law Society of Kenya in good standing.
• Relevant certifications in Arbitration, Mediation, Fintech Regulation, AML, IP, or Legislative Drafting.
• Master of Laws (LL.M) is an added advantage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with fintech regulators and public sector authorities.
• Expertise in digital financial services, policy advocacy, and technology law.
• Strong understanding of emerging fintech regulations and digital public infrastructure.

Benefits and Compensation

Safaricom offers competitive compensation packages, leadership development opportunities, and a high-impact work environment. Benefits include health coverage, pension schemes, learning and development programs, and access to world-class digital tools and collaboration platforms.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply using the Apply Now button below. Applicants must update their candidate profile on the Safaricom recruitment portal and attach their resume for consideration.