Lead Commercial Counsel - Remote

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote position

High-impact projects

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Commercial Counsel to drive the legal strategy for a rapidly growing organisation. This fully remote, senior position requires extensive experience in complex commercial transactions and strategic advisory across global partnerships.

You will mentor a dispersed legal team, oversee contract lifecycle management, and shape risk frameworks while delivering business objectives from any location.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with at least 10 years of post-qualification experience.
• Significant experience in complex commercial contract negotiation and drafting.
• Experience advising on strategic business transactions and corporate law.
• Proven leadership abilities and experience managing legal projects or teams.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiation and drafting of high-value commercial contracts, including complex partnerships, licensing agreements, and M&A transactions.
• Provide strategic legal counsel on business development initiatives, market entry strategies, and corporate restructuring.
• Oversee and manage the company's contract lifecycle management processes.
• Develop and implement robust legal frameworks to mitigate commercial risks.
• Advise on intellectual property strategy, compliance, and enforcement.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and ensure cost-effective external support.
• Mentor and guide junior legal team members (even in a remote setting).
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in relevant jurisdictions.
• Proactively identify legal issues and propose innovative solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Analytical

Communication

Education

Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, 10+ years PQE

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an exceptional Lead Commercial Counsel to spearhead their legal strategy from a remote location. This is a fully remote, senior-level position requiring extensive experience in complex commercial transactions and a strategic approach to legal matters. You will be the primary legal advisor for the commercial division, overseeing all contractual agreements, strategic partnerships, and potential business ventures. The ideal candidate is a seasoned legal professional with a proven ability to lead, mentor, and deliver outstanding results in a geographically dispersed team. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the legal framework of a growing organisation while enjoying the autonomy and flexibility of remote work. We are committed to building a high-performing legal team that operates seamlessly regardless of physical location. Your expertise will be crucial in navigating intricate legal landscapes and driving business objectives forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the negotiation and drafting of high-value commercial contracts, including complex partnerships, licensing agreements, and M&A transactions.
• Provide strategic legal counsel on business development initiatives, market entry strategies, and corporate restructuring.
• Oversee and manage the company's contract lifecycle management processes.
• Develop and implement robust legal frameworks to mitigate commercial risks.
• Advise on intellectual property strategy, compliance, and enforcement.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and ensure cost-effective external support.
• Mentor and guide junior legal team members (even in a remote setting).
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in relevant jurisdictions.
• Proactively identify legal issues and propose innovative solutions.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with at least 10 years of post-qualification experience.
• Significant experience in complex commercial contract negotiation and drafting.
• Demonstrated experience in advising on strategic business transactions and corporate law.
• Proven leadership abilities and experience managing legal projects or teams.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a fully remote work environment, demonstrating self-discipline and initiative.
• Familiarity with international business law is an advantage.

Benefits

• Highly competitive remuneration package, reflecting the senior nature of the role.
• Fully remote position, offering unparalleled flexibility.
• Significant strategic influence within the organisation.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and leadership growth.
• Work on challenging and high-impact commercial deals.
• Join a forward-thinking company with a strong commitment to its remote workforce.