Legal Advisor: Technology: Job Grade: 11: SLS: Legal Services: Bellville

Sanlam; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services group in South Africa is seeking an experienced Legal Advisor. This role involves providing legal advice on IT, data protection, and cybersecurity in the financial sector. Candidates should have a relevant law degree and a strong background in IT contracting. Opportunities for career growth and professional development are offered. Apply by 26 September 2025.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Diversity and inclusion commitment

Qualifications

• 5-7 years’ relevant experience, with at least 3 years in financial services or technology.
• Strong background in IT-related legal matters.
• Good knowledge of legislation impacting the financial sector.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on cybersecurity and digital transformation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate IT/technology-related contracts.
• Advise on data governance and privacy laws.
• Support risk mitigation strategies for digital platforms.

Skills

IT contracting

Data protection

Regulatory advisory

Legal research

Contract negotiation

Education

LLB or higher Law degree

Admitted Attorney or Advocate

Job description

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.

What will you do?

Core Tasks:

• To provide expert legal advice and support on information technology, data protection, cyber security and digital transformation initiatives within the financial services environment. The legal advisor will manage risk, enable innovation across insurance, investment, retirement funds and other financial products.
• Draft, review and negotiate IT-related contracts including Master Services, software licensing, SaaS, cloud services, outsourcing and vendor agreements
• Advise on intellectual property rights, licensing structures and technology procurement
• Advise on data governance, cross-border data transfers, and privacy impact assessments
• Provide legal input on cybersecurity policies, incident response plans and regulatory reporting obligations
• Support risk mitigation strategies for digital platforms and fintech solutions
• Advise on legal aspects of digital products, platforms, and services including robo-advisory, mobile apps, and AI-driven tools
• Support legal enablement of fintech business transactions.
• Analyse disputes; consider, negotiate, implement and manage appropriate solutions.
• Consider practical and cost-effective alternatives, risks and trends.
• Consider short- and long-term implications of impending regulatory amendments, as well as implications for the business.
• 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.
• Assist with risk and savings and retirement fund product matters.
• Represent Sanlam at required internal and external stakeholder engagements.
• Drafting AI usage policies, monitoring usage and keeping abreast of relevant legal developments
• Providing legal advice in meetings.
• Identifying problems and providing solutions in respect of tech-related matters.
• Draft, review and vet complex legal documents, including contracts.
• 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.

What will make you successful in this role?

Role Requirements:

Qualifications:

• LLB or higher Law degree
• Admitted Attorney or Advocate

Experience:

• At least 5 to 7 years’ experience (3 – 5 years post admission)
• At least 3 years’ relevant experience within the financial services, fintech or technology industry
• Strong background in IT contracting, data protection and regulatory advisory
• Experience in an in-house team or advising clients on technology related matters

Knowledge and Skills:

• Good knowledge of legislation impacting Sanlam Life including the FSRA, Insurance Act and Prudential Standards, Retirement funds legislation, FAIS Act and Code of Conduct.
• 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.