Lead Legal Counsel

SUMMARY:
Lead Legal Counsel

POSITION INFO:

Our client based in Pretoria is looking for a Lead Legal Counsel the candidate must have an LLB degree (NQF 8) or an equivalent appropriate legal qualification; be an admitted Attorney, Advocate or corporate lawyer within a corporate or investment banking legal environment or a reputable banking/finance legal.

Detailed description

• The successful candidate will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following key
• performance areas:
• Proactively identify, address and manage potential legal risks within the Company Group,
• including the PA.
• Conduct and integrate legal research.
• Take responsibility for monitoring and reviewing local and international legislation,
• regulation and policies that have an impact on the mandate of the COMPANY Group, including
• the PA, and advise senior management on any developments.
• Steer legal processes for internal clients on complex legal challenges and disputes
• affecting their operations.
• Provide legal advice and opinions to the COMPANY Group, including the PA.
• Participate in negotiations to draft and conclude agreements on relevant positions,
• policies, principles, litigation matters and regulatory action matters, in consultation with
• senior management in the Legal Services Department.
• Draft legislation and review drafts of new legislation to address specific concerns of the
• Company Group, including the PA.
• Lead special projects to ensure that mandated and informed positions are developed and
• presented to stakeholders.
• Manage litigation affecting the Company Group, including the PA, in conjunction with external
• counsel.
• Conduct research into a wide range of matters, including legislative, regulatory and policy
• frameworks that have an impact on the Company Group, including the PA.
• Take responsibility for addressing issues pertaining to relevant legislation applicable to
• the Company Group, including the PA.
• Represent the Legal Services Department and the Company Group, including the PA, on
• national, regional and international committees.
• Report on the above-mentioned committees.
• Provide guidance, advice and legal opinions to the above-mentioned committees.
• Review and draft policies relevant to the Company Group, including the PA.
• Institutionalise processes to enhance efficiencies within the Company Group, including the PA.
• Mentor and develop legal counsel.

Job requirements

• To be considered for this position, candidates must:
• have an LLB degree (NQF 8) or an equivalent appropriate legal qualification;
• be an admitted Attorney, Advocate or corporate lawyer within a corporate or investment
• banking legal environment or a reputable banking/finance legal practice; and
• have at least 8‒10 years of experience as a practising Attorney, Advocate or in-house legal
• counsel.

The following would be an added advantage:

• an LLM;
• experience in banking, insurance and/or financial market infrastructure regulation;
• experience in company law, insolvency and/or mergers and acquisitions;
• a solid record in leading and closing complex projects; and/or
• exposure to financial markets, financial technology (fintech), exchange control and/or
• payment systems.

Additional requirements include:

• assertiveness;

• problem-solving skills and analysis;

• good verbal and written communication skills;

• judgement and decision-making skills;

• listening skills;

• presentation skills;

• relationship management;

• being a self-starter;

• attention to detail;

• driving execution;

• organisational awareness; and

• project management skills.