Legal Advisor: Commercial Unit: Job Grade: 11: SLS: Legal Services: Bellville

Sanlam; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading South African financial services company is seeking a Legal Advisor to provide expert legal support across various product offerings. The ideal candidate will have 5 to 7 years of experience, a strong background in insurance and commercial law, and excellent contract negotiation skills. This role involves managing legal risks and ensuring compliance across the organization.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Inclusive workplace

Strong career growth prospects

Qualifications

• 5 to 7 years of experience in legal advisory roles, preferably in insurance or financial services.
• Strong capability in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Experience advising on insurance product structures and claims processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on commercial and insurance matters.
• Draft and negotiate various contracts and agreements.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks in operations.

Skills

Negotiation

Commercial Law

Insurance Law

Legal Research

Contract Drafting

Compliance Knowledge

Education

LLB or higher legal qualification

Admitted Attorney or Advocate

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Overview

Who are we?

Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS) is focused on serving our retail and corporate clients in South Africa and further developing our strategic advantages in the South African market. Sanlam Life and Savings consists of the following business units Retail Mass, Corporate, Risk and Savings, Glacier and various business enabling functions. The Sanlam Life and Savings Office provides strategic direction, coordination and support to the four clusters, as well as performing governance oversight that includes assurance provided by second line of defense functions in SLS, to enable us to meet our business objectives.

Responsibilities

Core Tasks:

• To provide expert legal advice and support on commercial and insurance related matters across Sanlam’s product offerings. The legal advisor will manage risk and enable business growth across insurance, investment, retirement funds and fintech solutions.
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements including binder, intermediary, outsourcing, distribution, reinsurance and other transaction agreements
• Ensure that contracts are legally sound and commercial aligned taking account of business objectives.
• Advise on insurance product structure, policy wordings, claims processes and regulatory compliance
• Support underwriting, claims, complaints and product development teams.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks in commercial and insurance operations.
• Ensure that business practices align with legal and regulatory requirements
• Analyse disputes; consider, negotiate, implement and manage appropriate solutions.
• Consider practical and cost-effective alternatives, risks and trends.
• Negotiate, draft and vet all required legal agreements including but not limited to binders, outsourcing, intermediary agreements, SLA’s, re-insurance agreements, data sharing agreements, NDA’s, joint venture agreements, cross-border transactional agreements.
• Research, prepare and draft legal opinions required as required.
• Collaborate with other SLS Legal COE units, the control functions and business
• Represent Sanlam at required internal and external stakeholder engagements
• Providing legal advice in meetings
• Identifying problems and providing solutions in respect of insurance and financial services related matters
• Interpreting legislation and advise on the impact of legislation on the business
• Assisting with reviewing contracts and responding to internal queries
• Mentor junior legal advisors

Qualifications and Experience

Role Requirements:

Qualifications:

• LLB or higher legal qualification
• Admitted Attorney or Advocate

Experience:

• At least 5 to 7 years’ experience (3 – 5 years’ post admission).
• At least 3 years’ relevant experience in insurance law, commercial law or financial services.
• Strong experience in drafting and negotiating contracts and advising on insurance related matters.

Knowledge and Skills

• Working knowledge of regulatory frameworks governing financial institutions in South Africa.
• Good knowledge of legislation impacting Sanlam Life including the FSRA, Insurance Act and Prudential Standards, Retirement funds legislation, FAIS Act and Code of Conduct.
• Good knowledge and understanding of contract negotiating and drafting.
• Sound knowledge of legal research and writing of legal opinions.
• Good knowledge of litigation and ADR processes.
• Computer skills (MS Office).

Personal Attributes

Business insight - Contributing through others
Builds networks - Contributing through others
Manages complexity - Contributing through others
Persuades - Contributing through others

Core Competencies

Being resilient - Contributing through others
Collaborates - Contributing through others
Courage - Contributing through others
Cultivates innovation - Contributing through others
Customer focus - Contributing through others

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

Closing date: 26 September 2025

Our commitment to transformation

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.