Senior Legal Counsel - Commercial Transactions

Placements24; Riverton (UT); Remote; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Remote work from anywhere

Professional development

Global legal team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join a fully remote legal team. You will lead complex international transactions, draft and negotiate agreements, and advise on regulatory compliance across jurisdictions.

The role emphasizes autonomy, strategic impact, and collaboration with global stakeholders. The successful candidate will have 10+ years in complex commercial law, strong negotiation skills, and experience managing remote teams.

Qualifications

• LLB or equivalent qualification.
• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of SA (required).
• 10+ years in complex commercial transactions, ideally international.

Responsibilities

• Lead on complex high-value commercial transactions including M&A, JVs, and partnerships.
• Draft, review and negotiate international commercial agreements with risk mitigation.
• Advise on cross-border regulatory compliance and international trade law.
• Collaborate with business development, finance and other stakeholders to support strategic initiatives.
• Conduct comprehensive due diligence for potential transactions.
• Manage external counsel for transactional matters.

Skills

Negotiation

Contract drafting

Cross-border compliance

Corporate law

Strategic thinking

Remote team leadership

English fluency

Education

LLB

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent international organisation, is seeking an accomplished Senior Legal Counsel to join their fully remote legal team. This senior-level position will focus on managing and advising on complex commercial transactions across various jurisdictions. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in international commercial law, contract negotiation, and risk management. This role is a remote-first opportunity, requiring a highly motivated and self-directed legal professional capable of driving significant legal outcomes without the need for physical office presence. You will be a key advisor, contributing to the company's global strategic objectives and ensuring robust legal frameworks are in place for all commercial dealings. This is a premier remote role for an expert in commercial transactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the legal aspects of complex, high-value commercial transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.
• Draft, review, and negotiate international commercial agreements, ensuring optimal terms and risk mitigation.
• Provide expert legal counsel on cross-border regulatory compliance and international trade law.
• Collaborate closely with business development, finance, and other key stakeholders to support strategic initiatives.
• Conduct comprehensive legal due diligence for potential transactions.
• Manage external legal counsel engaged for specific transactional matters.
• Develop and refine standard contract templates and legal playbooks for commercial activities.
• Advise on corporate governance and compliance related to international operations.
• Stay abreast of global legal and regulatory developments impacting commercial transactions.
• Mentor and guide more junior members of the legal team on transactional matters.

Requirements

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or equivalent qualification.
• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of South Africa is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience, with a significant focus on complex commercial transactions, ideally in an international context.
• Demonstrated expertise in negotiating and structuring diverse commercial agreements.
• In-depth knowledge of international commercial law, contract law, and corporate law.
• Proven ability to manage significant transactional projects independently.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Proficiency in managing remote teams and digital collaboration tools.
• Fluency in English is essential; knowledge of other languages is an advantage.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and ability to handle complex matters with confidence.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package, including comprehensive health insurance and retirement contributions.
• Enjoy the flexibility and autonomy of working from any location within South Africa.
• Our client invests in professional development, providing opportunities for continuous learning and growth.
• You will be part of a global, innovative legal team, working on challenging and impactful international projects.
• This role, though associated with Upington, Northern Cape , allows for remote work, offering a unique opportunity for an experienced senior counsel to shape global commercial strategies.
• Our client values expertise and promotes a culture of excellence and collaboration.