Purpose:
To support the Legal function by carrying and managing a defined legal portfolio, providing practical legal advice to internal stakeholders, drafting and reviewing commercial and operational agreements, and driving the Company’s compliance function through policy making and implementation, regulatory monitoring, compliance awareness, reporting, and continuous improvement. The role is intended as a junior legal counsel role with appropriate supervision, while still requiring accountability for allocated matters and proactive stakeholder support.
Key responsibilities:
Legal advisory and portfolio support
- Carry and manage an allocated legal portfolio under the guidance of the Governance Manager and/or Legal Director.
- Provide clear, practical and timely legal support to assigned business areas, escalating complex or high-risk matters where appropriate.
- Assist with legal research, legal opinions, regulatory updates and practical guidance notes for the business.
- Support the management and resolution of potentially litigious or contentious matters in a commercially sensible manner.
Contract drafting, review and management
- Draft, review and support the negotiation of agreements, including supply agreements, service level agreements, procurement contracts, tenders, sponsorship agreements, distribution or trade-related arrangements, memoranda of understanding, letters of appointment and confidentiality agreements.
- Promote the use of approved templates, playbooks and the contract lifecycle management platform to improve consistency, auditability and risk mitigation.
- Maintain accurate records of contract status, key risks, approvals and legal input provided to stakeholders.
Compliance function and responsible business conduct
- Drive day-to-day compliance activities in support of applicable laws, internal policies and responsible business conduct requirements.
- Assist with implementation, monitoring and awareness of compliance policies, including Data Privacy, Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest, Anti-Bribery, Gifts & Entertainment, Ethics & Whistleblowing, and related governance requirements.
- Coordinate compliance declarations, training, reminders, evidence gathering, reporting and follow-up actions in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
- Identify, document and escalate compliance risks, control weaknesses and remediation actions.
Regulatory and governance support
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments relevant to the allocated portfolio and translate these into practical action points for the business.
- Assist with regulatory engagements, statutory submissions, periodic returns or filings where required, and maintain supporting records.
- Support governance initiatives, legal entity compliance, policy reviews and legal risk registers as required.
Business partnering and stakeholder management
- Build trusted working relationships with internal stakeholders and provide service-oriented legal and compliance support.
- Work with business units to embed legal and compliance considerations into operational decision-making.
- Engage with external counsel, regulators, agencies and service providers where required and under appropriate supervision.
Legal operations, technology and continuous improvement
- Assist with implementation and continuous improvement of legal technology solutions, contract management tools, trackers and reporting processes.
- Contribute to improved legal processes, standard operating procedures, templates and knowledge management within the Legal function.
- Prepare dashboards, status reports and management updates on allocated legal and compliance matters.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) or equivalent legal qualification.
- Admission as an attorney
- Completed articles at a reputable law firm is advantageous.
- Working knowledge of South African corporate, commercial and regulatory requirements is advantageous.
- Approximately 3 to 5 years’ relevant legal, compliance, governance or commercial contracting experience.
- Exposure to in-house legal work, a reputable law firm, compliance function or regulated corporate environment is advantageous.
- Relevant industry experience is advantageous.
- Experience with contracts, legal research, policy implementation, compliance tracking, stakeholder engagement and legal administration.
Competencies
Leadership / behavioural:
- Acts with integrity and sound judgement.
- Demonstrates accountability and a willingness to learn.
- Communicates clearly and professionally.
- Collaborates effectively and builds positive stakeholder relationships.
- Shows curiosity, resilience and a continuous improvement mindset.
- Champions a culture of belonging and responsible business conduct.
Functional:
- Legal drafting, review and research.
- Commercial awareness and business partnering.
- Risk identification, mitigation and escalation.
- Compliance monitoring, reporting and policy implementation.
- Contract lifecycle management.
- Demonstrative qualities of AI native lawyer and legal technology adoption.
- Stakeholder management and practical problem solving.
