Senior Manager : Commercial & Legal

Lesedi Nuclear Services Pty. Ltd.; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the energy sector is seeking a Senior Manager: Commercial and Legal. This role involves providing strategic legal advice, managing contracts, and supporting business development while ensuring compliance and risk mitigation. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in commercial management and a strong understanding of contract law. Responsibilities include drafting contracts, overseeing legal policy implementation, and engaging with project stakeholders. This position is critical for maximizing company profits and protecting against liabilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in commercial management or related roles.
• Experience with NEC and FIDIC contracts.
• Proven successful commercial strategy implementation.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and draft contracts.
• Support business development and risk management.
• Lead the Risk Committee in identifying company risks.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Conflict resolution

Contract management

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Degree in Commercial Law

LLB

BCom Law

Diploma or degree in engineering

Post-graduate qualifications in energy/construction

Financial qualification

Job description

PURPOSE OF ROLE

We are seeking a Senior Manager: Commercial and Legal to serve as a key strategic advisor responsible for proactively identifying, assessing, and mitigating legal and commercial risks across our organization.

In this critical role, you will ensure our commercial activities and contractual relationships maintain compliance while supporting business objectives.

This position requires industry-specific experience within the energy, mining, and construction sectors, with emphasis on providing expert commercial input related to contract structuring, corporate risk mitigation, and governance processes.

You will be instrumental in setting up and monitoring our contractual framework to maximize and protect company profits while providing essential legal support to business development teams and managing project agreements throughout their lifecycle.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

1. Legal Counsel
2. Draft and review contracts in compliance with internal processes and acceptable risk limits
3. Provide internal legal and commercial opinions
4. Oversee Legal Policy implementation throughout the organization
5. Research and provide legal opinions on various matters
6. Pursue legal entitlements and protect against liabilities in existing contracts

Proposals and Projects Support

1. Review project proposals to limit company liability
2. Negotiate principal contracts with clients
3. Prepare and negotiate subcontracts and supplier agreements
4. Support with claims and variation management
5. Assist project teams with claims preparation and final account negotiation
6. Ensure appropriate record-keeping and bond commitment management
7. Conduct contract audits as required

Business Development Support

1. Review and draft agreements for new project opportunities
2. Provide guidance on contractual implications for Project Finance
3. Advise on commercial issues and partnering strategies
4. Support BBBEE compliance and localization strategies
5. Engage with project developers, lenders, equity investors, and advisers

Risk Management

1. Lead the Risk Committee in identifying and mitigating company risks
2. Facilitate risk identification workshops
3. Manage the Company Risk Review Process

Insurance Management

1. Procure annual and ad-hoc insurance cover
2. Ensure appropriate insurance coverage for assets and projects
3. Evaluate available insurance products to mitigate risk areas
4. Engage with brokers on project requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Commercial Law, LLB or BCom Law
• Diploma or degree in an engineering field (advantageous)
• Post-graduate qualifications related to the energy and construction sector (advantageous)
• Financial qualification / experience (advantageous)

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 10 years in commercial management, contract management, or related risk roles
• Minimum 10 years reviewing and managing NEC contracts
• Minimum 5 years reviewing and managing FIDIC contracts
• Minimum 5 years operating in an engineering company
• Proven successful commercial strategy implementation

COMPETENCIES

Knowledge: Strong understanding of commercial and contract law, construction law fundamentals, insurance law, dispute resolution, project finance, and risk management procedures.

Skills: Strategic thinking, negotiation, conflict resolution, contract management, communication, collaboration.

Behaviours: Ability to work under pressure, integrity, self-motivation, personal accountability, conceptual thinking, attention to detail, interpersonal skills.

If you do not hear from us within 21 days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.