Legal Advisor

Pedros; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Pedros, a leading QSR and retail group, is seeking an admitted attorney to manage commercial, franchise and compliance matters across South Africa and other markets.

You will draft and negotiate complex agreements, oversee leases and cross-border contracts, and advise senior stakeholders on regulatory risk including POPIA and consumer protection laws.

The role requires 6–10 years in commercial law, LLB, and multi-jurisdictional exposure; experience with franchising and IP is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Admitted attorney with LLB and High Court admission in SA.
• 6–10 years' experience in commercial law.
• Minimum 5 years in QSR/retail/FMCG settings.
• Strong contract negotiation and drafting skills.
• Experience with franchise, lease and cross-border agreements.
• Ability to advise senior stakeholders and manage compliance projects.

Responsibilities

• Advise on franchise, commercial and vendor agreements across markets.
• Handle leases, cross-border agreements with local counsel.
• Manage trademark/IP matters including infringement and enforcement.
• Draft, review and negotiate complex agreements (JV and employment).
• Ensure compliance with POPIA, Companies Act, CPA, Competition Act across jurisdictions.
• Support external counsel on disputes and claims.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Drafting agreements

Regulatory compliance

Cross-border

Stakeholder management

Franchise agreements

Multi-jurisdictional exposure

Education

LLB

Admission as Attorney (SA)

Job description

Duties And Responsibilities

• You will be the person who deals with commercial, franchise and compliance questions across South Africa and every other market we operate in. The brief is broad - a lease dispute one day, a joint venture agreement the next, employment questions across several countries the day after
• We are looking for an admitted attorney with an LLB who is comfortable drafting and reviewing commercial agreements and advising senior stakeholders at a strategic level. You will take ownership of compliance projects, coordinate with external legal partners and contribute to cross functional work shaped by new and changing legislation. The right candidate thinks analytically, solves problems well and works collaboratively, keeping legal risk in check and the business aligned with regulatory standards
• Advise on franchise, commercial and vendor agreements across our markets
• Handle leases and cross-border agreements, working with local counsel where needed
• Manage trade mark and intellectual property matters, including infringement and enforcement
• Draft, review and negotiate complex agreements, including joint venture and employment contracts
• Keep the business compliant with POPIA, the Companies Act, the Consumer Protection Act, the Competition Act and equivalent laws elsewhere
• Support external counsel on active disputes and claims

Requirements

• LLB and admission as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
• 6 to 10 years experience in commercial law
• Minimum 5 years within or for a QSR AND/OR RETAIL AND/OR FMCG business
• A fine eye for detail, able to pick up the small things others miss
• Strong contract negotiation and drafting experience
• Working knowledge of franchise, lease and cross-border agreements
• Advantageous: experience managing a small legal team
• Advantageous: multi-jurisdictional exposure across Africa