Head Of Legal

Envusa Energy; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading renewable energy company in Johannesburg is seeking a Head of Legal to provide strategic legal leadership. This pivotal role involves ensuring compliance with legal obligations while managing a growing legal team. Ideal candidates should have 15+ years of legal experience and a strong understanding of South African legal frameworks. Join us to shape the legal future of renewable energy in Southern Africa.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years' professional legal experience with at least 10 years in project development, construction, and project finance.
• Strong knowledge of South African legal and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute legal strategy aligned to corporate and project objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the legal team.
• Ensure compliance with South African and international laws and regulations.

Skills

Legal strategy development

Contract negotiation

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Education

LLB degree and admission as an attorney or advocate

Job description

Cape Town or Johannesburg, ZA - Hybrid (Remote and In Person).

Envusa Energy is a licensed energy trader and a

• joint venture between EDF power solutions and Anglo American.

The company is at the forefront of delivering innovative renewable energy solutions to private offtakers across Southern Africa and is on track to deliver 3–5 GW of renewable capacity by

With its first MW of wind and solar projects already under construction and expected to supply power by Q

About the role

The Head of Legal will provide strategic legal leadership to Envusa Energy and its group of companies, reporting directly to the CEO.

This senior role requires you to act as a trusted advisor to the ExCo and project leaders, ensuring that all business activities—from development and bidding to financing, construction, and operations—are legally sound, compliant, and strategically aligned.

You will lead a growing legal function, manage relationships with external counsel, and oversee all regulatory, contractual, and governance obligations.

This is a pivotal position with responsibility for safeguarding Envusa's legal interests, managing risk exposure, and contributing to the company's long-term success in the renewable energy sector.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute Envusa's legal strategy aligned to corporate and project objectives
• Act as the legal advisor to the CEO, ExCo, and project teams on all legal and contractual matters
• Lead, mentor, and develop the legal team to ensure growth and succession planning
• Ensure consistent legal support across all Envusa subsidiaries and entities
• Ensure compliance with South African and international laws and regulations
• Monitor, interpret, and implement legislative and regulatory changes
• Identify potential legal risks and implement risk mitigation strategies
• Oversee regulatory affairs and act as liaison with authorities and industry regulators
• Draft, review, and negotiate multi-million Rand contracts, including PPAs, IAs, Construction & EPC contracts, O&M contracts, Finance agreements and vendor agreements
• Maintain contract templates, processes, and best practice standards
• Manage legal disputes, litigation, and arbitration matters
• Collaborate with and manage external counsel when requiredOversee intellectual property rights, licensing, and IP-related disputes
• Drive a strong culture of ethics, compliance, and integrity across Envusa
• Develop and deliver compliance and governance training to staff and board members
• Ensure compliance with the Companies Act, King Code, and corporate governance frameworks
• Ensure statutory reporting obligations are met and legal budget is well managed

What You’ll Need

• LLB degree and admission as an attorney or advocate (essential)
• Minimum 15 years' professional legal experience with at least 10 years in project development, construction, and project finance
• Strong knowledge of South African legal and regulatory frameworks and corporate governance requirements (Companies Act, King Code)
• Expertise in renewable energy project legal matters, including drafting and negotiating EPC, finance, and offtake agreements
• Proven ability to manage large, complex legal portfolios, litigation, and regulatory compliance

Why Join us?

Join Envusa Energy and play a key role in shaping the legal foundation of one of Southern Africa's leading renewable energy companies.

You’ll :

• Lead legal strategy at executive level
• Work on landmark renewable projects driving decarbonisation
• Collaborate with global leaders EDF Renewables and Anglo American

Make a lasting impact on South Africa's energy future

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