Corporate Finance Legal Intern — M&A & Financing

Placements24; Upington; Remote; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonus

Medical aid & retirement fund

Generous annual leave

Remote working from anywhere in SA

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a prestigious private equity firm in recruiting an experienced Remote Mergers & Acquisitions Counsel. The role supports the firm’s extensive M&A activities from anywhere in South Africa, handling due diligence, deal structuring, and regulatory compliance.

The successful candidate will have at least 8 years of post-qualification experience in M&A, excellent drafting and negotiation skills, and the ability to manage multiple high-value transactions in a remote setting.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney with strong M&A experience and SA regulatory knowledge.
• Experience managing complex domestic and cross-border deals.
• Ability to work independently in remote environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead due diligence for acquisitions and divestitures.
• Structure and negotiate M&A transactions and draft agreements.
• Advise on deal structuring, risk and compliance.
• Coordinate closings and liaise with external counsel and advisors.
• Support post-acquisition integration and strategic input.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Due diligence

Drafting

Analytical skills

Remote work management

Education

Admitted Attorney (SA)

Job description

About the Role Our client, a prestigious private equity firm with a global reach, is seeking an experienced Remote Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Counsel to join their fully remote legal team. This role offers the unique opportunity to work from anywhere within South Africa, providing critical legal support for the firm's extensive M&A activities. You will be responsible for managing all legal aspects of transactions, including due diligence, deal structuring, drafting and negotiating acquisition agreements, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in M&A law, exceptional negotiation skills, and the ability to manage complex transactions independently. This is a prime opportunity for a seasoned M&A lawyer to contribute to high-profile deals in a flexible, remote working environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage legal due diligence processes for potential acquisitions and divestitures.
• Structure and negotiate M&A transactions, including drafting and finalising purchase agreements, shareholder agreements, and ancillary documents.
• Advise on deal structuring, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant corporate laws, securities regulations, and antitrust requirements.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel, investment bankers, and other advisors.
• Coordinate the legal aspects of transaction closings.
• Provide post-acquisition legal integration support.
• Conduct legal research on M&A related issues and provide strategic advice to the investment team.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of M&A trends and best practices.
• Assist in developing and refining M&A legal processes and templates.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Minimum of 8 years of post-qualification experience, with substantial focus on M&A transactions.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex domestic and cross-border M&A deals from start to finish.
• In-depth knowledge of corporate law, securities regulations, and transactional documentation.
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple high-value transactions simultaneously in a remote setting.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective stakeholder management.
• Experience in private equity or investment banking is highly desirable.
• This is a fully remote role, open to candidates across South Africa.

Benefits

• A highly competitive salary, reflecting the seniority and specialised nature of the role.
• Performance-based bonus tied to successful deal closures.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Significant annual leave allowance to promote work-life balance.
• Opportunities for professional growth through exposure to diverse international transactions.
• The ability to work remotely from any location in South Africa.
• Work with a leading global private equity firm and gain invaluable experience.
• Access to sophisticated deal-making platforms and legal resources.