Role Purpose:

Main Accountabilities:

1. Legal Advisory and Business Support

• Provide legal support to the business by offering guidance on agreement vetting, legal opinions, third‑party negotiations, and ad hoc legal queries.
• Facilitate efficient client onboarding by offering practical legal guidance, alternatives, and solutions.
• Foster collaboration and maintain strong working relationships across all departments and associates.
• Perform ad hoc legal tasks and responsibilities as assigned by management.

2. Contract Management and Drafting

• Provide legal support to the business by offering guidance on agreement vetting, legal opinions, third‑party negotiations, and ad hoc legal queries.
• Facilitate efficient client onboarding by offering practical legal guidance, alternatives, and solutions.
• Foster collaboration and maintain strong working relationships across all departments and associates.
• Perform ad hoc legal tasks and responsibilities as assigned by management.

3. Risk Management and Legal Compliance

• Review and assess legal and credit files for exposures classified as High Risk, participating in their management through meetings, payout approvals, and collections oversight.
• Provide oversight and guidance on security perfection processes, ensuring compliance across internal and external stakeholders.
• Advise on collateral‑related risks and compliance requirements, including swaps, terminations, registrations, and releases.
• Ensure all legal documentation and processes align with internal governance frameworks and approved credit mandates.

4. Regulatory and Governance Support

• Ensure legal documentation standards remain aligned with regulatory requirements and corporate legal frameworks.
• Maintain audit‑ready legal files, collateral records, and document trails.
• Report on legal matters and governance‑related risks, including monthly updates on outstanding and overdue collateral.
• Support internal governance through accurate record‑keeping and alignment with compliance expectations.

5. Litigation and Dispute Management

• Develop and implement litigation strategies aimed at maximising recoveries in a cost‑effective manner.
• Liaise with external attorneys, liquidators, and business rescue practitioners on disputes, legal claims, and matters involving distressed clients.
• Participate in managing high‑risk files, including legal escalations, collections processes, and dispute resolution efforts.

6. Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory

• Engage proactively with internal stakeholders, including Credit, Collections, Sales, and Executive teams, to resolve legal matters.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders such as attorneys, suppliers, clients, and service providers to ensure progress and resolution of legal issues.
• Provide clear, practical legal guidance to non‑legal stakeholders to support decision‑

7. Process Improvement and Legal Efficiency

• Proactively manage the perfection of security by coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to streamline processes.
• Strengthen efficiency and accuracy through improved legal workflows, document templates, and vetting processes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across legal procedures, reporting processes, and support mechanisms..

Qualifications:

• LLB degree (Bachelor of Laws).
• Admitted Attorney or Advocate in South Africa.
• Postgraduate qualification in Law, Corporate Law, or Commercial Law would be advantageous.

Experience:

• 1 - 3 years post-admission experience in a corporate, financial services, or commercial legal environment.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements and contracts.
• Providing legal advisory support to business units and executive stakeholders.
• Managing legal risk, compliance, and governance within an organisation.
• Exposure to financial services regulations, corporate law, and regulatory frameworks.
• Engaging with external legal counsel and managing disputes or litigation.

Skills

• Commercial contract drafting and negotiation
• Legal advisory and risk management
• Regulatory and compliance knowledge
• Corporate governance and policy development
• Legal research and interpretation
• Stakeholder engagement and communication
• Dispute resolution and litigation management
• Legal document management and reporting

Competencies:

• Commercial judgement and business acumen
• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Decision making and risk assessment
• Communication and influencing capability
• Integrity and ethical judgement
• Accountability and ownership
• Ability to work under pressure and manage complexity