Assistant Legal Manager

Surbana Jurong; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Surbana Jurong (SJ) in Johannesburg seeks an Assistant Legal Manager/Associate to support the South African business. Based in Johannesburg, you will draft, review, negotiate and execute commercial agreements, advise on contractual obligations, and vet procurement documents.

You will review and negotiate terms, assist in commercial litigation, manage debt recovery processes, and provide general legal counsel aligned to SJ standards. Strong English communication and travel flexibility expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent; Attorney Certification.
• 3–4 years PQE in drafting and negotiating engineering design and construction contracts.
• Experience with FIDIC and IFI-funded infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Review terms and conditions of contracts to ensure obligations are compliant with SJ guidelines.
• Lead negotiations on commercial contracts including vendor, leave and licenses, NDAs, and construction/supervision agreements.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Legal advisory

Education

LLB or equivalent

Attorney Certification

Tools

PowerPoint

MS Excel

Job description

Position

Assistant Legal Manager /Associate

Division

Commercial & Legal

Location

Johannesburg Randburg

Reports to

Manager or any other person appointed to supervise him/her from time to time.

Primary Position Purpose

The Assistant Manager will provide support to SMEC’s South African business, and will be based in Johannesburg. The role is to identify and mitigate risk through providing specialist legal advice, including the drafting, reviewing, negotiating and execution of various commercial agreements, advice relating to general contractual obligations, vetting of and advising the business on procurement documents.

Key Responsibilities

Review terms and conditions related to specific contracts and ensure that any obligations placed on SJ group companies are in accordance with our commercial and legal operating guidelines.

Provide assistance with or lead contract negotiations in commercial contracts primarily comprising of vendor contracts, leave and licenses, NDAs, consultancy and construction supervision contracts etc.

Assist in managing debt collection process . Assistance in commercial litigation matters (preferred). This shall include, amongst others: Consultations and communications with our external legal counsel, Involvement in tender appeal processes.

Review proposals (and requests for tender) as part of business tendering activities Provide general legal advice Assist with any ad hoc commercial and legal responsibilities, including the drafting of legal notices, letters, and providing legal and commercial advice aligned to SMEC standard practice. MIS update and compliance.

Key Performance Indicators

Successfully conclude contracts with terms that are commercially and legally favourable to SJ, while ensuring risk mitigation and compliance.

Drive recovery of bad debts through appropriate and effective legal mechanisms.

Ensure implementation, adherence, and monitoring of the company’s policies, procedures, and internal controls.

Lead and support continuous process improvements to enhance efficiency, compliance, and risk governance.

Maintain a high level of legal and regulatory compliance, with performance measured through internal and external audits.

Demonstrate a strong attention to detail, adherence to timelines, and the ability to perform under pressure while following established processes.

Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including drafting, negotiations, and stakeholder interactions.

Demonstrate flexibility and commitment, including willingness to travel and work beyond official working hours when business exigencies require.

Recommended Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent or better legal qualification. Attorney Certification. PQE 3 -4 years of experience. Good exposure in drafting and negotiating engineering design consultancy and construction contracts.

Experience of working under FIDIC and IFI funded projects for infrastructure, design, architecture, project management and engineering and consultancy contracts.

Experience in PowerPoint and MS Excel skills shall be added advantage

Company Culture

We are proud of the brilliant minds at SJ, we are committed to ensuring that our people have the best opportunities and resources to learn, grow and succeed. Our hiring decisions are guided by skills, qualifications and experience, ensuring fair and equitable access to opportunities for all. We are intentional about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, not as a requirement, but as a fundamental part of who we are. We strive to create a workplace where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are embraced, fresh ideas are encouraged, and everyone has the support they need to thrive. At SJ every individual has a voice, and through our commitment to engineering positive change, every contribution makes a difference. At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!

About Us

SMEC is a global engineering, management and development consultancy delivering innovative solutions for our clients and partners. Leveraging our 70-year history of delivering nation-building infrastructure, we provide technical expertise and advanced engineering services to resolve complex challenges across major infrastructure and energy projects. SMEC has a long and proud history which dates back to Australia’s iconic Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme in 1949, one of the largest and most complex hydroelectric schemes in the world. Headquartered in Australia, we have offices across more than 35 countries in Oceania, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa and the Americas. Together with our clients and partners, we deliver projects that directly contribute to improving health, quality of life and development outcomes for communities and neighborhoods around the world. Driven by innovation, ingenuity and skill, our people have shaped these outcomes in some of the world’s most remote and challenging environments. Since 2016, SMEC has been a member of the Surbana Jurong Group, an Asia-based global powerhouse of over 16,000 employees. Through our network of global specialists and by collaborating with local partners, we connect clients with the best teams and capabilities to deliver sustainable solutions.