Legal Council ( Retail ) | Gauteng

Our client are seeking a highly skilled legal professional to provide business-focused legal advice, contract support, and product guidance primarily to our client''s retail investment businesses. In this role, you will leverage your deep knowledge of the South African financial services regulatory landscape to review and draft contracts, support compliance and product development initiatives, resolve queries, and ensure the business remains ahead of legislative changes.

Requirements:

Education: Completed LLB Degree.

Professional Qualification: Admitted Attorney. (A CFP designation will be highly advantageous).

Experience: 3–5 years of post-admission legal experience, preferably within a LISP (Linked Investment Service Provider) or wealth management business.

Industry Knowledge: Strong understanding of wealth platforms, retail and retirement investments, and financial products.

Regulatory Framework: Robust knowledge of South African financial sector laws, including FAIS, FICA, CISCA, the Insurance Act, the Pension Funds Act, and POPIA.

Drafting Expertise: Notable and proven experience in complex contract drafting.

Responsibilities:

Contractual Support: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide array of legal documents (including investment management agreements, service level agreements, LISP SLAs, client-facing documents, product terms, marketing material, and data agreements). Continuously improve templates and manage the entire contract lifecycle.

Legal Risk Management: Monitor, identify, and report on legal risks and regulatory developments across projects, policies, and systems. Support internal training initiatives regarding legal and regulatory updates.

Legal Advisory and Queries: Provide reliable, commercially focused legal advice and opinions to internal stakeholders regarding contracting, service/product queries, operational processes, and the implementation of legislation.

Product Development & Project Support: Provide expert legal support for various retail business initiatives, including the launch of new products, portfolios, and regulatory developments. Collaborate confidently within multi-disciplinary project teams (including Tax, Marketing, Compliance, and IT).

Governance and Compliance: Work closely with regulatory compliance and risk teams to manage emerging risks, embed a culture of good governance, implement internal controls, and unpack the impact of legislative changes on the business.

Core Competencies:

Exceptional legal research and contract drafting skills.

Ability to embrace and implement legal and financial technology solutions.

Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building abilities.

Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

High levels of professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment.