Associate General Counsel (M&A)

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus plan

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Growth opportunities

High-value deal exposure

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Associate General Counsel in Pretoria with a strong M&A focus. You will lead high‑impact transactions, provide strategic legal guidance to business teams, and ensure compliance with South African corporate and securities laws.

The ideal candidate is an admitted SA attorney with 8+ years in M&A, excellent drafting and due diligence skills, and the ability to manage multiple deals in a hybrid work environment in Gauteng.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with 8+ years in M&A.
• Extensive experience structuring, negotiating, and closing M&A deals.
• Strong knowledge of SA corporate law and listing requirements.
• Excellent drafting and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Hybrid work capability: balance remote and in-office in Pretoria.

Responsibilities

• Lead all legal aspects of M&A transactions from strategy to close and integration.
• Draft, review, and negotiate term sheets, LOIs, SPAs, APAs, and related documents.
• Conduct legal due diligence investigations for acquisitions and divestitures.
• Advise on deal structure, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with SA corporate law, securities regulations, and listing requirements.
• Collaborate with finance, tax, and operations to ensure deal success.
• Manage relationships with external counsel and other advisors.
• Assist in governance practices and strategic corporate initiatives in Gauteng.

Skills

M&A experience

Corporate law

Due diligence

Negotiation

Contract drafting

Education

Attorney admission SA High Court

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent diversified industrial conglomerate headquartered in Pretoria, Gauteng , is seeking an experienced Associate General Counsel with a strong specialization in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). This high-impact role involves managing and executing a significant volume of M&A transactions, providing strategic legal counsel to business development teams, and ensuring compliance with all relevant corporate and securities laws. The ideal candidate will possess a robust background in corporate law, M&A deal structuring, due diligence, and post-merger integration. This position offers the chance to work on strategically important deals that shape the future growth of the organization, contributing to its market leadership. The hybrid work model ensures a balance between collaboration and flexibility, ideal for professionals seeking to excel in a challenging corporate setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all legal aspects of M&A transactions, from initial strategy and target identification through to closing and post-merger integration.
• Draft, review, and negotiate term sheets, letters of intent, share purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, and related transaction documents.
• Conduct and manage legal due diligence investigations for potential acquisitions and divestitures.
• Advise business teams on deal structure, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with South African corporate law, securities regulations, and listing requirements.
• Collaborate with finance, tax, and operational teams to ensure seamless deal execution.
• Manage relationships with external counsel and other advisors involved in transactions.
• Assist in the development and implementation of corporate governance best practices.
• Provide legal support for corporate finance activities and other strategic initiatives in Gauteng .

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a minimum of 8 years' relevant experience, with a primary focus on M&A.
• Extensive experience in structuring, negotiating, and closing M&A transactions of varying sizes and complexities.
• Strong knowledge of South African corporate law, company secretarial practice, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent legal drafting and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong business acumen and ability to provide practical, commercially sound legal advice.
• Experience in capital markets and corporate finance is a significant advantage.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing remote and in-office collaboration in Pretoria .
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and an attractive performance-based bonus plan.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for significant professional growth and development.
• Exposure to high-value, strategic M&A deals shaping the company's future.
• A collaborative and dynamic work environment in Pretoria .
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility.