Remote General Counsel

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 2,500,000 - 5,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation package

Fully remote work

Health benefits

Retirement planning

Equity options

Professional development allowances

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced General Counsel to lead a fully remote legal function for a rapidly expanding international technology firm. You will advise the board and senior management, shape the company’s legal strategy, and manage a distributed team across multiple jurisdictions.

The role demands 12–15 years of broad legal experience in corporate governance, contracts, IP, and regulatory compliance, with a proven track record advising senior leadership.

Qualifications

• LLB degree or equivalent with admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
• 12–15 years of extensive legal experience, with significant senior in-house or General Counsel responsibility, preferably in technology.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all legal activities and provide strategic advice to the Board and Executive Management.
• Develop and implement the company's legal strategy, policies and procedures.
• Manage corporate governance matters, including board meetings and statutory filings.
• Lead drafting, review, and negotiation of major commercial agreements, partnerships and M&A.
• Oversee IP portfolio management, including patents, trademarks and copyrights.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations (data privacy, POPIA, GDPR and industry standards).
• Manage disputes and litigation cost-effectively.
• Advise on employment law and support HR functions.
• Build and mentor the legal team and coordinate with external counsel globally.
• Manage legal aspects of international expansion and cross-border operations.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Corporate Governance

Commercial Contracts

IP Management

Regulatory Compliance

Dispute Resolution

Board Advisory

Team Leadership

Remote Collaboration

Negotiation

M&A

Education

LLB degree or equivalent

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding international technology firm, is seeking a strategic and experienced Remote General Counsel to oversee all legal affairs. This is a senior leadership role, ideal for a highly accomplished legal professional who can operate effectively in a fully remote capacity. You will be responsible for providing comprehensive legal advice across a broad spectrum of areas including corporate governance, commercial contracts, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution. As the top legal executive, you will advise the board of directors and senior management, shaping the company's legal strategy and risk management framework. The ability to manage a global legal footprint, foster a high-performing legal team (even if distributed), and ensure robust compliance in diverse jurisdictions is paramount. This is a unique opportunity to build and lead the legal function for a forward-thinking company from the ground up, offering ultimate flexibility and impact. The Sandton location signifies the company's reach into major business hubs.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all legal activities of the company, providing strategic advice to the Board of Directors and Executive Management.
• Develop and implement the company's legal strategy, policies, and procedures.
• Manage corporate governance matters, including board meetings, shareholder relations, and statutory filings.
• Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of major commercial agreements, partnerships, and M&A transactions.
• Oversee the management of intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including data privacy (e.g., POPIA, GDPR), and industry-specific regulations.
• Manage and resolve legal disputes and litigation effectively and cost-efficiently.
• Advise on employment law matters and support HR functions.
• Build and manage relationships with external legal counsel globally.
• Develop and mentor junior legal team members (if applicable).
• Manage the legal aspects of international expansion and cross-border operations.

Requirements

• An LLB degree or equivalent, coupled with admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
• A minimum of 12-15 years of extensive legal experience, with a significant portion in a senior in-house counsel or General Counsel role, preferably in the technology sector.
• Proven experience in managing a wide range of legal areas, including corporate governance, commercial contracts, IP, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience advising Boards of Directors and executive leadership.
• Strong strategic thinking, leadership, and decision-making capabilities.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience managing international legal matters and diverse teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and fully remote work environment.
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct.
• Proficiency with modern legal technology and remote collaboration tools.

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation package, including base salary, bonus, and equity options.
• Truly flexible, fully remote working arrangement.
• Comprehensive executive health benefits and retirement planning support.
• Significant autonomy and influence in shaping the company's legal direction.
• Opportunity to lead and build a legal function for a growing international entity.
• Generous paid time off and professional development allowances.
• Work with a highly innovative and globally distributed team.