Chief Legal Office & Strategy Leader

Legal Aid South Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,545,000 - 1,889,000; Full time

Job summary

Legal Aid SA in Johannesburg seeks a senior practitioner with leadership in criminal and civil litigation and a track record in management. The role focuses on directing office operations, budgeting and strategic planning to deliver high-quality legal services.

A senior, self-driven team player is expected to mentor Candidate Attorneys and staff, while maintaining compliance and stakeholder relationships. Salary is CM1-22 (R1,717,017.00) per annum, with a comprehensive package.

Qualifications

• LLB degree or equivalent at NQF Level 8.
• Admitted as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of SA.
• 10+ years post-admission experience as a legal practitioner, 5 years in Court/Legal Management.
• Extensive knowledge of Magistrate's Court, High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal, Land Court, Labour Courts and Constitutional Court.
• Experience training Candidate Attorneys.
• Proven budget management and leadership in legal teams.
• Advanced computer skills (Excel, Word and Outlook).
• Strong strategic planning, programme management and team leadership.
• Strong understanding of ethics and standards relevant to the mission.
• Excellent communication with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership to office staff and foster a productive work environment.
• Develop and implement strategies to achieve objectives and enhance service delivery.
• Mentor and guide office staff for professional growth and development.
• Oversee high-quality legal services in line with standards.
• Monitor and improve service delivery processes and compliance.
• Foster client-centric approaches in all office operations.
• Build relationships with clients, government agencies and funders.
• Represent the organisation at meetings and public events.
• Collaborate with external partners to leverage resources for community benefits.
• Oversee office budget with responsible resource allocation.
• Monitor financial performance and ensure budget compliance.
• Prepare financial reports and forecasts for Senior Management.
• Ensure compliance with laws, regulations and policies.
• Implement risk management to protect reputation and finances.
• Conduct audits to identify compliance gaps and address issues.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Team leadership

Problem-solving

Education

LLB degree or equivalent

Admitted as Attorney/Advocate

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Legal Aid SA in Johannesburg seeks a senior practitioner with leadership in criminal and civil litigation and a track record in management. The role focuses on directing office operations, budgeting and strategic planning to deliver high-quality legal services.

A senior, self-driven team player is expected to mentor Candidate Attorneys and staff, while maintaining compliance and stakeholder relationships. Salary is CM1-22 (R1,717,017.00) per annum, with a comprehensive package.