Legal Counsel (Institutional)

Momentum Investments; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services provider in Centurion is seeking a Legal Advisor to provide business-focused legal advice and contract support. The role involves drafting and reviewing contracts, managing legal risks, and ensuring compliance with South African financial services regulations. Ideal candidates should have a BCom LLB or LLB Degree, be an Admitted Attorney, and possess 3-5 years of relevant experience. Strong analytical, communication, and contract drafting skills are essential. Competitive remuneration and growth opportunities in a dynamic environment are offered.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney with 3-5 years of post-admission legal experience in investment/asset management.
• Knowledge of South African financial sector laws including FAIS, FICA, CISCA, Insurance Act.
• Significant experience in contract drafting and corporate law.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate legal documents including investment management agreements.
• Monitor and report on legal risks and regulatory developments.
• Advise on legal matters, including the interpretation of legislation.

Skills

Contract drafting

Legal risk management

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

Education

BCom LLB or LLB Degree

Postgraduate qualifications relating to capital/global markets or investment management

Job description

Introduction

Momentum Investments is part of the Momentum Group, one of the largest insurance and financial services providers in South Africa. Momentum Investments comprises over ten retail and institutional businesses including an asset manager, alternative investments/hedge fund manager, stockbroker, collective investments scheme manager, and local and offshore wealth platforms.

Role Purpose

The successful candidate will provide business-focused legal advice and contract support primarily to the institutional businesses within Momentum Investments. This role requires knowledge of the South African financial services regulatory landscape with a focus on asset management, including FAIS, global markets, collective investment schemes, the JSE environment, the Insurance Act and matters related to the Financial Markets Act. The role includes reviewing and drafting contracts, supporting compliance efforts as well as projects and keeping updated with legislative developments.

Requirements

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

Duties & 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, data agreements and stockbroking agreements.
• Support the team with continuous improvements on templates.
• Ensure efficient management of contracts through the entire contract lifecycle.

Legal Risk Management

• Monitor and report on legal risks and regulatory developments.
• Identify and communicate legal risks in projects, policies, and systems.
• Support training initiatives regarding legal and regulatory updates.

Legal Advisory and Queries

• 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.

Product Development/Project Support

• Provide reliable legal support on the various initiatives and projects of the institutional businesses, including the launch of new portfolios, the take-on of new clients and developments due to regulatory changes.
• Collaborate and communicate confidently within a multi-disciplinary project team, including portfolio managers, analysts, compliance and IT teams.

Governance and Compliance

• Work closely with regulatory compliance and risk teams to manage regulatory changes and emerging risks within the business 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.

Competencies

• Meticulously detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Adaptability and resilience in the face of change and uncertainty.
• Exceptional legal and contract drafting skills.
• Be able 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.