General Counsel - Diversified Services

Placements24; Greater London; On-site; GBP 116,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive benefits

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Life insurance

Generous leave allowances

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced General Counsel to lead the legal department in East London, Eastern Cape, ZA. This senior, office-based role requires strategic leadership and oversight of corporate governance, commercial contracts, litigation, IP, and regulatory affairs.

You will provide high-level strategic guidance to the Board and executive team, manage external counsel, and drive policy development to mitigate risk while ensuring full regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Admitted to practice law in East London, Eastern Cape, ZA, and in good standing.
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive legal experience with significant senior in-house exposure.
• Broad expertise across corporate law, commercial contracts, M&A, litigation management, and regulatory affairs.
• Proven leadership and management capabilities with experience leading legal teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to engage with the board and senior management.
• Strong understanding of risk management principles.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all legal affairs including corporate governance, commercial contracts, litigation, and regulatory compliance.
• Provide strategic legal counsel to the Board of Directors and senior executives on major decisions.
• Develop and implement legal policies to mitigate risk and ensure compliance.
• Manage external counsel relationships and oversee litigation/dispute resolution.
• Ensure robust corporate governance practices and regulatory compliance.
• Advise on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic corporate transactions.
• Protect company IP assets and manage IP-related matters.
• Lead and mentor the in-house legal team and foster a culture of legal excellence.

Skills

Executive leadership

Legal strategy

Board communication

M&A experience

Litigation management

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading diversified services group with operations across multiple industries, is seeking a highly experienced General Counsel to lead their legal department in **East London, Eastern Cape, ZA**. This is a senior, office-based position, requiring a strategic leader to oversee all legal and compliance matters for the organization. You will provide high-level strategic advice to the executive team and the Board of Directors, managing a broad range of legal areas including corporate law, commercial contracts, litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory affairs. This is a critical leadership role for an accomplished legal professional looking to make a significant impact in a dynamic corporate environment. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership and a broad understanding of legal and business strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all legal affairs of the company, including corporate governance, commercial contracts, litigation, and regulatory compliance.
• Provide strategic legal counsel to the Board of Directors and senior executive team on all significant business decisions.
• Develop and implement legal policies and procedures to mitigate risk and ensure compliance.
• Manage external counsel relationships and oversee litigation and dispute resolution efforts.
• Ensure robust corporate governance practices and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Advise on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic corporate transactions.
• Protect the company's intellectual property assets and manage IP-related matters.
• Lead and mentor the in-house legal team (if applicable) and foster a culture of legal excellence.

Requirements

• Admitted to practice law in East London, Eastern Cape, ZA , and a member in good standing of the relevant professional body.
• A minimum of 10-15 years of progressive legal experience, with significant experience in a senior in-house counsel role, ideally within a diversified group or large conglomerate.
• Broad expertise across various legal disciplines including corporate law, commercial contracts, M&A, litigation management, and regulatory affairs.
• Proven leadership and management capabilities, with experience leading legal teams.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, business acumen, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to operate effectively at the board level and advise senior management.
• Strong understanding of risk management principles.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary and comprehensive bonus package.
• Opportunity to lead the legal function of a major diversified company.
• Full suite of executive benefits, including comprehensive medical aid, retirement fund, and life insurance.
• Significant opportunities for strategic influence and career advancement.
• Prime office location in **East London**.
• Generous executive leave allowances.
• Access to top-tier external legal resources and professional development.
• A challenging and rewarding leadership role.