Executive Head of Legal, Compliance, and Public Affairs

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.


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