Senior Legal Officer - Contracts

Placements24; Windsor Park (TN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Health insurance

Professional development budget

Challenging role

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Legal Officer - Contracts to oversee a large contract portfolio in a fully remote US-wide role. You will guide negotiation, risk assessment, and compliance across commercial agreements, providing strategic advice to business units and senior leadership.

Ideal candidates bring SA High Court admission with 6+ years in contract law, expertise in drafting and negotiating complex contracts, and proficiency with contract management tools for remote teams.

Qualifications

• Bar admission and minimum 6 years of contract-law experience.
• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Strong understanding of commercial law, governance and risk management.
• Remote-work experience and ability to mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead review, drafting and negotiation of complex commercial agreements (MSAs, partnerships, licenses).
• Provide expert legal advice on terms, risks, liabilities and compliance to senior management and operations.
• Develop standardized contract templates and efficient management processes.
• Oversee contract lifecycle management, including renewals and amendments.
• Manage and resolve contractual disputes with mitigation strategies.
• Stay updated on contract-law developments and ensure policies reflect best practices remotely.

Skills

Contract law

Negotiation

Risk management

Legal research tools

Education

Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Tools

Contract management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an accomplished Senior Legal Officer - Contracts for a fully remote position, tasked with overseeing and managing the company's extensive contract portfolio. This role requires extensive experience in contract law, negotiation, and risk management to safeguard the company's commercial interests. You will play a key role in developing contract strategies, providing expert advice to business units, and ensuring compliance across all contractual obligations. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned contract law professional to make a significant impact remotely, supporting operations nationwide from East London and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the review, drafting, and negotiation of complex commercial agreements, including master service agreements, partnership agreements, and licensing deals.
• Provide expert legal advice on contractual terms, risks, liabilities, and compliance issues to senior management and operational teams.
• Develop and implement standardized contract templates and efficient contract management processes.
• Oversee the contract lifecycle management, ensuring timely renewals, amendments, and terminations.
• Manage and resolve contractual disputes, recommending effective strategies for mitigation and resolution.
• Stay updated on relevant contract law developments and ensure company policies reflect best practices remotely.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a minimum of 6 years of dedicated experience in contract law.
• Deep expertise in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts.
• Strong understanding of commercial law, corporate governance, and risk management principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills, particularly in a remote setting.
• Proficiency with contract management software and legal research tools.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and mentor junior legal staff in contract matters remotely.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary commensurate with expertise and experience.
• Fully remote work arrangement, providing ultimate flexibility and autonomy.
• Comprehensive health insurance, including medical aid and life cover.
• Substantial budget for professional development, including advanced contract law courses.
• A challenging and rewarding role shaping the contractual landscape of a dynamic organization.