Legal Advisor & Institutional

The Recruitment Council; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm in South Africa is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to provide comprehensive legal support. The ideal candidate will have between 3-5 years of post-admission legal experience in investment management, excellent drafting skills, and knowledge of financial regulations. Responsibilities include managing legal documentation, monitoring risks, and advising internal stakeholders. The role demands a detail-oriented professional who can adapt to a fast-paced environment, ensuring legal compliance and risk management while collaborating effectively across teams.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of post-admission legal experience in an investment/asset management business.
• Admitted Attorney certification required.
• Experience in corporate law and complex transactions.

Responsibilities

• Draft and review legal documents related to investment management.
• Monitor legal risks and support compliance.
• Advise on legal matters and operational processes.

Skills

Legal drafting skills

Analytical and problem-solving

Strong communication skills

Detail-oriented

Education

BCom LLB or LLB Degree

Job description

Job Overview

Are you an experienced attorney with a passion for the financial services sector? Our client, one of the largest insurance and financial services providers in South Africa, is looking for a talented Legal Counsel to join their institutional team. The client’s portfolio comprises over ten retail and institutional businesses, including asset and hedge fund managers, stockbrokers, and wealth platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Contractual Support

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide array of legal documents, including investment management agreements, ISDAS/GMSLAS/GMRAS, note programmes, investment mandates, service level agreements, and stockbroking agreements.
• Support the team with continuous improvements on templates and ensure efficient management of contracts through the entire contract lifecycle.

Legal Risk Management & Governance

• Monitor and report on legal risks and regulatory developments.
• Identify and communicate legal risks in projects, policies, and systems.
• Work closely with regulatory compliance and risk teams to manage regulatory changes and emerging risks to embed a culture of good governance.
• Assist in implementing internal controls to mitigate legal risk, including systems and policies.
• Monitor legislative developments and be able to unpack the impact on the various businesses.
• Support training initiatives regarding legal and regulatory updates.

Legal Advisory & Project Support

• Advise internal stakeholders on legal matters, including contracting and the interpretation and implementation of legislation.
• Provide legal advice on operational processes and appropriate legal contracting structures.
• Carry out legal research and provide commercially focused legal opinions.
• Provide reliable legal support on various initiatives and projects, including the launch of new portfolios, client take-ons, and developments due to regulatory changes.
• Collaborate and communicate confidently within a multi-disciplinary project team, including portfolio managers, analysts, compliance, and IT teams.

Requirements

• Education: BCom LLB or LLB Degree. Postgraduate qualifications relating to capital/global markets or investment management are advantageous.
• Certification: Admitted Attorney.
• Experience: 3-5 years of post-admission legal experience, preferably in an investment/asset management business.
• Drafting Skills: Significant experience in contract drafting, with exceptional legal and contract drafting skills.
• Specialised Knowledge: Experience in corporate law, complex transactions, alternative investments, corporate governance, global markets documentation, debt and credit instruments, operations of a CIS Manco, and securitisation structures.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of financial sector laws in South Africa such as FAIS, FICA, CISCA, Insurance Act, FMA, JSE rules, and POPIA.

Desired Competencies

• Meticulously detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Adaptability and resilience in the face of change and uncertainty.
• Ability to embrace and implement legal and financial technology solutions.Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment.

Contact

Send your applications to [e-mail]