Permanent - Senior Legal Counsel - Johannesburg (Incl. Northern Suburbs) - South Africa

Reports To Regional Managing Director / Regional General Counsel

Key Performance Indicators

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Be responsible for and provide general legal advice especially to the commercial function on all legal matters relating to procurement, key customer sales and day to day matters SSA and Ireland.
• Control and manage legal risks in accordance with the applicable contracting procedures implemented in the specific territories.
• To be able to independently handle routine and complex legal issues. Capable of leading transactions with minimum guidance as and when necessary, from the Regional General Counsel.
• Developing strategy and providing support on general commercial issues such as tenders, negotiating contracts and compliance matters.
• Liaising with the Regional General Counsel to handle strategic and administrative initiatives including developing and delivering training, drafting and reviewing standard contracts (all with only minimal support).
• Actively monitor, manage, control and report on any litigation matters to the Regional General Counsel.
• Keeping the Regional General Counsel informed of any high risk and key significant legal issues identified or suspected through regular contact.
• Deliver training programmes to the business on legal and contractual risks and issues related to, amongst other things, construction terms / contracts
• Update precedents and templates, whilst contributing to processes and improved ways of working

Formal Education, Qualifications or Training - Essential and Desirable

Essential:

• A qualified lawyer in South Africa (Attorney of the High Court of South Africa) or any relevant jurisdiction with at least 5 years PQE.

Required Experience

• A good understanding of general corporate / commercial contracts/legal principles.
• Previous experience of working in house and in a fast-paced commercial contracts sales environment is desirable; and
• Experience of other legal areas (e.g. M&A, IP, data protection, litigation, competition, compliance and technology) would be advantageous; this is not essential as the successful candidate will be provided with training and support in these areas as necessary.

Required Competencies

• Partnership building – develops productive internal and external relationships; works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Influencing – adopts appropriate influencing styles; ensures commitment to decisions from key stakeholders.
• Information sharing – ensures people have access to information they need to do their job effectively.
• Visible leadership – operates ethically and with integrity; demonstrates appropriate levels of openness and transparency..
• Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Exhibits sound judgment when balancing legal risks against the business benefits.
• Ability to understand the business, its strategies, its people and its organisational structures.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise a heavy workload and possess strong project management skills.
• Strong awareness of legal and commercial risks and the ability to establish the means for managing such risks consistent with the business objectives.
• Ability to understand and resolve complex legal and business issues.
• Ability to manage external lawyers (in dialogie with the Regional General Counsel) on legal projects while controlling external costs to achieve the best possible service.
• Maintains a diplomatic manner and retains a sense of humour whilst working under pressure.