Head of Legal

SUMMARY:
To develop and drive the successful delivery of the Legal strategy and the effective running of the function, ensuring the attainment of company objectives internally and externally through provision of sound legal risk management expertise.

POSITION INFO:
JOB DESCRIPTION

Strategic Alignment

• Proactively direct and oversee the Legal function, ensuring that the organisation remains compliant with all relevant legal prescripts including legislation, regulations and directives.
• Collaborate with the executive management team to provide legal advice to and advance Company's interest.
• Provide strategic advice and counsel to the company in terms of the legal impact of strategic plans and actions – locally or internationally.
• Develop and implement legal risk management framework, strategies, policies, ensuring alignment with the overall organisational strategy.
• Develop the function’s operational plans and monitor implementation thereof.

• Be the strategic and technical lead on legal and legal risk management matters.
• Provide legal services and guidance to the organisation as needed on matters including contracts, short term insurance, labour law, and company law among others.
• Provide general legal advice pertaining to organisational decisions regarding scope, mandate, and shareholder interactions.
• In collaboration with the executive management, manage various complex legal projects and litigation.
• Collaborate with external legal counsel and other stakeholders to facilitate and ensure attainment of organisational objectives.

• Collaborate with the Compliance Function to ensure that the framework for Legal and Compliance risk management is in alignment with Company’s enterprise risk management.

• Oversee management of contracts and service level agreements.
• Drive the reduction of Corporate Risk by ensuring all contractual relationships are done in compliance with Company and legal requirements.
• Facilitate the appointment and management of the panel of attorneys.
• Represent Company in regulatory forums (e.g., SAIA legal committee).
• Participate in Risk and Audit Committee meetings as invited and provide necessary reports on a regular basis and in accordance with applicable governance frameworks including Prudential Standards, King Code IV & compliance standards.

• Compile and manage functional budget forecasts.
• Manage legal costs where applicable and oversee the taxation of costs.

• Ensure adequate capacity resourcing for the function to successfully execute its mandate.
• Recruit and develop skilled staff.
• Oversee, support, coach, and develop performance of direct reports, ensuring agreed performance targets are met.
• Address non-performance accordingly.
• Talent management of direct reports, including career development and succession planning for key positions.
• Ensure that the working environment contributes to improving staff morale and increasing productivity.

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.
• Master’s degree in Commerce, Business Administration, Management, Law, or a related field will be an added advantage.
• Admitted Legal Practitioner, registered with the Legal Practice Council.

• Minimum 5 years of relevant management experience, leading a legal function, resolution of disputes and differences including performance management issues, interacting with and providing legal advisory services to executive management.
• Experience in managing and resolving complex issues, legal and litigation matters.
• Key stakeholder engagement and influence.