Group Legal Advisor

Outsidecapital; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal firm in Johannesburg is seeking a Group Legal Advisor to join their central team. This role involves negotiating complex commercial contracts, managing M&A transactions, and providing expert legal advice. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and a solid understanding of contract law. A minimum of 4 years post-admission experience is required, along with a valid LLB qualification. This is a full-time position with a focus on driving business outcomes and navigating complex legal matters.

Qualifications

• 4 years post‑admission experience, ideally in law firm and in‑house.
• Extensive knowledge in commercial contract law.
• Proven track record in M&A transactions.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate commercial contracts supporting business operations.
• Manage Share Purchase Agreements and other M&A documentation.
• Provide legal support and engage in dispute resolution.

Skills

Expert legal advice

Negotiation of commercial contracts

Strong command of English

Microsoft Office Suite proficiency

Integrity and confidentiality

Education

LLB or BA / BCom LLB qualification

Tools

Legal technology

Contract management systems

Job description

Group Legal Advisor

We are seeking an experienced solution-oriented Legal Counsel to join our clients central Group Legal team reporting directly to the Head of Legal. This role is perfect for a commercially astute lawyer who thrives on hands‑on responsibility and practical problem‑solving within a fast‑paced international environment. You will be deeply involved in the transactional pipeline driving M&A activity and managing high‑stakes commercial agreements across our varied business units. You will play a crucial role in standardizing legal processes and templates across the group while navigating the complexities of cross‑jurisdictional legal matters. If you are looking for a role where your input directly shapes business outcomes and you enjoy a high degree of autonomy this is your chance to become a mini‑me to the Head of Legal.

Responsibilities

• Draft review and actively lead negotiations for a wide array of complex commercial contracts supporting diverse business operations.
• Spearhead transactional agreements including drafting and driving Share Purchase Agreements Heads of Agreement and Sale of Business documentation supporting significant M&A activity.
• Provide expert legal advice and support across the Group including proactive engagement in dispute resolution matters.
• Conduct thorough legal research draft formal opinions and advise stakeholders across the organization on complex legal issues.
• Actively engage with legal frameworks in foreign jurisdictions demonstrating a strong appetite for continuous learning and immediate application of international legal knowledge.
• Contribute significantly to the implementation and roll‑out of new contract management software.
• Develop standardize and communicate best‑practice contract templates and checklists for all commercial suppliers ensuring global consistency while accommodating necessary regional variations.
• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across all divisions of the Group.

Requirements

• LLB or BA / BCom LLB qualification.
• 4 years post‑admission experience ideally a blend of law firm practice and in‑house exposure.
• Extensive demonstrable knowledge and practical experience in commercial contract law.
• Proven track record handling M&A transactions or other complex transactional agreements.
• Strong command of written and spoken English with excellent presentation and research skills.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word Excel PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated ability to operate with integrity confidentiality tact and sound decision‑making.

Nice‑to‑Haves

• Prior experience in the Tourism or Hospitality sectors.
• Experience working across multiple international jurisdictions.
• Familiarity with legal technology or contract management system implementation.
• Established project management and conflict resolution skills.

Employment Type

Full‑Time