Executive Head of Legal, Compliance, and Public Affairs

Recruiter:

PlaceTalent

Job Ref:

JHB000351/CB

Date posted:

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Location:

Johannesburg, South Africa

SUMMARY:
A prestigious multinational company is seeking a hands-on, commercially minded, and versatile generalist to step into the role of Executive Head of Legal, Compliance, and Public Affairs. This role requires a leader who can take charge of key legal, compliance, and public affairs functions, ensuring strategic alignment and risk management across the organisation.

POSITION INFO:
Education:
- Relevant legal qualification (e.g., Bachelor of Laws)
- Completion of articles and board examinations
- Admitted as an attorney or advocate
- Ongoing legal training and updates from law firms and corporate lawyers’ associations

Skills/Experience required:
- 10+ years of relevant experience as a practicing legal counsel.
- At least 5 years in a senior role, leading a team of legal counsels.
- Understanding of the South African property sector and its legislation
- Awareness of commercial impacts on business operations

Job Description:
- Legal Leadership: Oversee company’s legal function, ensuring risk mitigation and alignment with business strategy.
- Contract Management: Negotiate, draft, review, and enforce contracts; manage the contract repository and approval processes.
- Dispute Resolution: Develop strategies to prevent and resolve legal disputes efficiently, guiding business units on solutions.
- Compliance & Governance: Ensure adherence to South African and international regulations (e.g., FCPA, OFAC), manage statutory requirements, and provide company secretarial support.
- Risk & Reporting: Oversee compliance reporting, governance, and REIT obligations while staying updated on legislative changes.
- HSEQ & Facilities: Manage health, safety, environmental, and quality (HSEQ) functions, including office management and regulatory compliance.
- Mergers & Acquisitions Support: Assist the Regional M&A team with due diligence and legal implementation of acquisitions.
- Stakeholder Management & Public Affairs: Manage external stakeholders, influence policies, communicate sustainability objectives, and implement public affairs strategies. Handle media relations and mitigate reputational risks.
- Financial Management: Manage the legal budget, oversee debt collection, and enforce contractual obligations.
- People Management: Inspire and lead the team, oversee recruitment and development, ensure performance management, promote a culture of learning, and drive staff engagement. Foster diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ensure fair recognition and reward.

Please apply directly, by clicking on the apply button or visit for more exciting opportunities.

If you have not had any response in one week, please consider your application unsuccessful. Your CV will be kept on file for any further suitable positions.

Similar jobs you might be interested in:

Executive Head of Legal, Compliance, and Public Affairs
Location: Johannesburg
Salary:
A prestigious multinational company is seeking a hands-on, commercially minded, and versatile generalist to step into the role of executive head of legal, compliance, and public affairs. This role requires a leader who can take charge of key legal, compliance, and public affairs functions, ensuring strategic alignment and risk management across the organisation.
2 days ago

Executive Assistant to Director, Head of Operations & New Business Manager
Location: Johannesburg
Salary:
22 days ago

Head: Corporate Finance
Location: Johannesburg
Salary:
We are on the hunt for a head of Corporate Finance & that will be responsible for the development and maintenance of life pricing models and providing actuarial support and insights to the Life business. An integral part of the role will also be supporting business with insights and producing reports for the executive and various committees.
2 days ago

Senior Key Account Executive
Location: Johannesburg
Salary:
We are looking for an experienced KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER to join a leading insurance company, that specialises in offering of insurance products for employees across many industries, assisting with COID cover, occupational injuries cover, funeral cover and more.
4 days ago

Head of Technical Underwriting
Location: Johannesburg
Salary: Market related
A leading player in the short-term insurance sector is seeking a highly experienced and strategic professional to join their team as the head of Technical Underwriting. This is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO), responsible for driving underwriting excellence, risk management, and product oversight across the business.
6 days ago

Head of Collections â Home Loans / Strategy
Location: Johannesburg
Salary:
Are you ready to lead the strategy and transformation of home loan collections at a high-impact level? This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned collections and credit risk leader to drive recovery strategy, optimise secured asset rehabilitation, and shape the future of distressed debt management in a dynamic banking environment.
6 days ago

Senior Firearm Compliance Officer
Location: Centurion
Salary:
An Internal Vacancy exists for a Senior Firearm compliance Officer inâ¯theâ¯Risk and Performance Divisionâ¯atâ¯head Office, Centurionâ¯â¯ The suitable candidate’s main responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
8 days ago

Head of Technical Underwriting
Location: Johannesburg
Salary: Market related
A leading player in the short-term insurance sector is seeking a highly experienced and strategic professional to join their team as the head of Technical Underwriting. This is a senior leadership role, reporting directly to the Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO), and is responsible for driving underwriting excellence, risk management, and product oversight across the business.
10 days ago

Chief Underwriting Officer
Location: Johannesburg
Salary: Market related
A leading player in the short-term insurance sector is seeking a highly experienced and strategic professional to join their team as the head of Technical Underwriting. This is a senior leadership role, reporting directly to the Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO), responsible for driving underwriting excellence, risk management, and product oversight across the business.
16 days ago

Chief Underwriting Officer
Location: Johannesburg
Salary: Market related
A leading player in the short-term insurance sector is seeking a highly experienced and strategic professional to join their team as the head of Technical Underwriting. This is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO), responsible for driving underwriting excellence, risk management, and product oversight across the business.
21 days ago