In-House Counsel - Contracts & Commercial Law

Placements24; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Life insurance

Professional development

Hybrid work arrangement

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced In-House Counsel to join our client’s legal team in Pretoria, Gauteng. You will draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts, providing practical legal guidance to procurement, sales, and marketing functions.

The role requires admitted SA attorney with 5-7 years post-qualification experience in commercial and corporate law, strong contract interpretation, and the ability to work effectively in a hybrid office setup.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court with 5–7 years PQE in commercial/corporate law.
• Experience drafting and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements.
• Strong knowledge of SA contract law and consumer protection legislation.
• Ability to deliver practical legal guidance to non-legal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements.
• Provide legal advice on contract interpretation and risk.
• Assist business teams in complying with contractual obligations.
• Manage disputes, liaise with external counsel as needed.
• Ensure compliance with SA legislation and governance matters.
• Develop standard contract templates and documentation.
• Support corporate governance matters and ad-hoc legal projects.
• Conduct legal research on commercial law topics.

Skills

Commercial contracts

Negotiation skills

Legal advice to non-legal teams

Contract interpretation

Education

Admitted Attorney (South Africa)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading national retailer with a strong brand presence, is seeking an experienced In-House Counsel to join their legal department based in Pretoria, Gauteng. This vital role will focus on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide array of commercial contracts, ensuring that all agreements align with the company's strategic objectives and mitigate legal risks. You will provide essential legal support to various business units, including procurement, sales, and marketing. The position requires a proactive individual with a strong understanding of commercial law and a keen eye for detail. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to work in a dynamic corporate environment, contribute to significant commercial deals, and gain broad exposure to different facets of the business. We are looking for a trusted legal advisor who can build strong working relationships across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate various commercial agreements, including supplier agreements, service level agreements, partnership agreements, and lease agreements.
• Provide legal advice on commercial matters, including contract interpretation, risk assessment, and compliance.
• Assist business teams in understanding and adhering to contractual obligations.
• Manage and resolve contractual disputes, liaising with external counsel when necessary.
• Ensure compliance with relevant South African legislation, including consumer protection laws and contract law.
• Develop and maintain standardized contract templates and legal documentation.
• Support the legal department on corporate governance matters and ad-hoc legal projects.
• Conduct legal research on various commercial law topics as required by the business.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of legal policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with 5-7 years of post-qualification experience, with a significant focus on commercial contracts and corporate law.
• Proven experience in drafting and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements.
• Strong understanding of South African contract law, consumer protection, and related legislation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to provide clear, concise, and practical legal advice to non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working in an in-house legal department is advantageous.
• Must be able to commute to our Pretoria, Gauteng office for a hybrid work arrangement.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid, a provident fund, and life insurance. Employees benefit from opportunities for continuous professional development, including access to industry conferences and in-house training. The company fosters a collaborative work environment and offers excellent career progression opportunities within its legal team. This hybrid role based in Pretoria allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and personal flexibility. Enjoy working with a dynamic team on impactful commercial initiatives.