Legal Manager

Bidvest Bank; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in South Africa is seeking a Legal Manager to provide expert legal support and guidance. The candidate will ensure legal compliance, manage risks, and oversee legal documentation. The position requires 5-7 years of legal experience, preferably in financial services, and a legal qualification. This role offers an opportunity to lead and mentor a legal team in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of post-admission corporate and commercial legal experience, preferably in financial services or legal practice.
• Experience with banking legislation required.
• Previous managerial or supervisory experience is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support and guidance across the Bank.
• Ensure legal compliance and manage risks.
• Draft and review contracts, agreements, and legal documents.

Skills

Leadership and management skills

Attention to detail

Research and analytical skills

Excellent communication skills

Education

Legal qualification and admission as a legal practitioner

Matric or equivalent

Job description

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Legal Manager is responsible for providing expert legal support and guidance across the Bank, ensuring legal compliance, managing risk, and supporting business objectives. The role includes oversight of legal documentation, litigation, corporate governance, and effective management of the Legal department's resources and outputs.

Key Performance Areas (KPAs):

Financial Management

• Ensure that losses do not occur due to legal risks to customers and the Bank.
• Pursue cost-saving and revenue-enhancement initiatives where applicable.

Stakeholder Management to Drive Service Excellence

• Identify problem areas and ensure corrective actions are taken.
• Assess business and customer requirements to provide timely solutions.
• Ensure responsiveness, including quick responses, reaction time, going the extra mile, and turnaround time.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Operational Management

• Draft, review, and revise contracts, agreements, and legal documents for accuracy and compliance.
• Provide legal advice and opinions to internal stakeholders.
• Draft non-standard legal clauses in line with policy and best practices.
• Conduct legal due diligence on funding, transactions, and business activities.
• Monitor legal and regulatory changes to identify risks and mitigation strategies.
• Manage the Bank's intellectual property portfolio in collaboration with external advisors.
• Support drafting of facility and security documentation based on credit sanctions.
• Review documents requiring legal approval and ensure proper sign-off.
• Stay updated on legislative changes and communicate them to relevant units.
• Represent Legal in meetings, providing strategic input.
• Facilitate legal training and awareness sessions.
• Manage litigation to protect the Bank's interests.
• Support governance, compliance, and secretariat functions.
• Maintain effective record-keeping and document management.
• Promote clear communication between Legal and business units.

People Management

• Lead and mentor the legal team, fostering professional growth.
• Encourage a culture of excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit and retain talented professionals.

Personal and Intellectual Capital Development

• Own personal career development.
• Achieve objectives set in development plans.
• Develop knowledge base and intellectual property.
• Broaden skills for greater marketability.

Training

• Stay updated on personal development areas.

Qualifications

• Matric or equivalent.
• Legal qualification and admission as a legal practitioner.

Experience

• 5-7 years of post-admission corporate and commercial legal experience, preferably in financial services or legal practice.
• Experience with banking legislation.
• Previous managerial or supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to identify control weaknesses and implement changes.
• Knowledge of external regulatory environment.
• Understanding of risk management and exchange control regulations.
• Compliance and reporting expertise.
• Understanding of banking systems and reporting.
• Expertise in Trade Services.
• Attention to detail, conceptual thinking, and business acumen.
• Leadership and management skills.
• Research, analytical, and excellent communication skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Office-based.

This position is advertised in line with our commitment to Employment Equity.