Assistant Legal Manager

Smec; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

SMEC South Africa is seeking an Assistant Legal Manager/Associate based in Johannesburg. The role provides specialist legal advice, drafts and negotiates commercial agreements, and guides procurement documents to mitigate risk.

You will support the SA business, manage contract reviews, assist with debt collections and commercial litigation, and ensure compliance with SMEC policies and governance standards. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with LLB or equivalent and Attorney Certification.
• 3–4 years PQE in related field.
• Experience drafting and negotiating engineering design, consultancy and construction contracts.
• Experience with FIDIC and IFI-funded infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Review contracts to ensure commercial and legal compliance.
• Lead or assist in contract negotiations for vendor, NDAs, and related contracts.
• Assist with debt collection and commercial litigation matters.
• Provide general legal advice and draft legal notices.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Attention to detail

English proficiency

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 INDIDCATORS

• 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

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!