General Counsel

A leading South African property and home finance group is hiring a General Counsel (GC) to lead its legal function and serve on the Leadership Council, reporting to the Deputy CEO and Board.

The General Counsel (GC) will provide strategic legal advice and guidance to the organisation, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, managing risk, and overseeing legal matters relating to corporate governance, company secretarial responsibilities, and contractual obligations.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Legal & Corporate Governance

• Oversee and manage all legal aspects of the company’s operations, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and corporate policies.
• Advise the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior management on legal and regulatory matters affecting the company’s strategy, operations, and risk management.
• Ensure effective corporate governance practices, including compliance with statutory reporting, filings, and other regulatory requirements.
• Draft, review, and implement policies that ensure the company complies with relevant laws and ethical standards.
• Represent the company in legal proceedings, including managing outside counsel as needed.

2. Company Secretarial Responsibilities

• Oversight of the Company Secretariat, overseeing board meetings, shareholder meetings, and other corporate governance processes.
• Prepare and file necessary documents for corporate compliance (e.g., articles of incorporation, annual filings, board resolutions, minutes of meetings).
• Coordinate and manage the company’s compliance with securities laws and regulations, including those related to public offerings, filings, and shareholder communications.
• Maintain and manage corporate records, including the company’s bylaws, articles of incorporation, and other key corporate documents.
• Advise on board composition, structure, and governance best practices.

3. Contract Law Management

• Oversee the negotiation, drafting, and review of commercial contracts, including vendor agreements, customer contracts, licensing agreements, and partnerships.
• Provide guidance to the business on contract terms and conditions, ensuring that agreements align with business objectives and minimize legal risk.
• Develop and maintain standard contract templates and assist business teams with contract compliance and dispute resolution.
• Manage contract lifecycle, including renewals, amendments, terminations, and performance reviews.
• Advise on the enforceability of contract terms and mitigation of potential disputes.

4. Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks in all aspects of the company’s operations, including contracts, employment law, competition law, intellectual property, data privacy, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and implement company-wide risk management strategies and legal compliance programs.
• Advise on intellectual property protection strategies, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
• Stay abreast of legal trends and regulatory changes affecting the business and implement necessary adjustments.

5. Mergers, Acquisitions and Transactions

• Provide legal advice and support on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other corporate transactions.
• Manage the due diligence process and negotiate and draft transaction documents.
• Assist in structuring, reviewing, and executing commercial transactions, investments, and partnerships.

6. Dispute Resolution & Litigation Management

• Manage and oversee disputes, litigation, arbitrations, and other legal proceedings involving the company.
• Coordinate and manage external legal counsel for litigation, settlements, and other legal matters.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to resolve disputes efficiently and cost-effectively, minimizing business disruption.

7. Team Leadership & External Counsel Management

• Lead and manage a small legal, corporate governance, compliance team, providing guidance, training, and support as needed.
• Oversee the management and coordination of external counsel, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality legal services.
• Work cross-functionally with other departments such as HR, finance, and operations to ensure legal strategies align with business objectives.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

1. Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Admitted Attorney
• Post Graduate Degree or additional certifications in corporate governance or company secretarial practice (e.g., ICSA) are advantageous.

2. Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years of legal experience, with significant expertise in corporate governance, contract law, and company secretarial responsibilities.
• At least 5 years proven experience in managing a legal department or serving as General Counsel.
• Experience advising senior leadership and boards of directors on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and business strategy.
• Strong background in commercial contract law and negotiation, with a proven track record of managing complex legal issues.

3. Skills & Competencies:

• Strong business acumen and the ability to align legal strategies with corporate goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership abilities and experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Ability to navigate complex legal issues and provide practical, business-oriented solutions.
• High degree of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Desired Attributes:

• Proactive and able to anticipate potential legal challenges before they arise.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to influence and persuade stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience with data privacy and cybersecurity law is an asset, particularly in industries with significant data protection concerns (e.g., tech, property, insurance etc).
• Fluency in English as the Group has an international presence.

Work Location:

• Based in Hazelwood in Pretoria, hybrid working (4 days in office).
• This position typically operates in a professional office environment with regular office hours, though flexibility may be required based on business needs.