Remote Head of Legal

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level salary and bonus

Equity options

Fully remote work arrangement

Medical and retirement benefits

Leadership training

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Head of Legal to lead a fast-growing FinTech's legal function in a fully remote leadership role across South Africa. You will oversee corporate governance, regulatory compliance, commercial contracts, IP, and dispute resolution, advising the Board on legal and strategic matters.

The ideal candidate holds an LLB and is admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with at least 10 years post-admission experience, preferably in FinTech.

Qualifications

• LLB degree or equivalent
• Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
• 10+ years post-admission experience in corporate/commercial law
• Significant leadership experience in a legal department, preferably in FinTech/tech

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the overall legal strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee governance, compliance, and risk management across the organization.
• Lead the legal team and manage external counsel.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial agreements including partnerships.
• Manage intellectual property portfolio and IP strategy.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and data privacy laws (POPIA, GDPR).
• Oversee litigation and dispute resolution processes.
• Advise the Board and executives on legal and strategic matters.
• Drive development and implementation of legal policies and procedures.

Skills

Legal leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiation

Education

LLB degree

Admitted Attorney SA

Tools

Contract management systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an innovative and rapidly growing FinTech company, is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Legal to lead their legal function. This is a fully remote leadership position, offering the opportunity to build and manage a comprehensive legal strategy for a forward-thinking organization. You will be responsible for overseeing all legal and compliance matters, including corporate governance, regulatory affairs, commercial contracts, intellectual property, and dispute resolution. The ideal candidate is a seasoned legal professional with a strong understanding of the financial technology landscape, exceptional leadership skills, and the ability to operate effectively in a fully remote, high-growth environment. This is a critical role for driving the company's success and ensuring robust legal and ethical operations nationwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the overall legal strategy in alignment with the company's business objectives.
• Oversee all aspects of corporate governance, legal compliance, and risk management.
• Lead and mentor the legal team (if applicable) and manage external legal counsel.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial agreements, including strategic partnerships and high-value contracts.
• Manage intellectual property portfolio and advise on IP strategy.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations, data protection laws (e.g., POPIA, GDPR), and industry standards.
• Oversee litigation and dispute resolution processes.
• Advise the Board of Directors and senior management on legal and strategic matters.
• Drive the development and implementation of legal policies and procedures.
• Foster a strong culture of compliance and ethical conduct throughout the organization.

Requirements

• An LLB degree or equivalent legal qualification.
• Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• A minimum of 10 years of post-admission experience, with significant experience in corporate law, commercial law, and ideally within the FinTech or technology sector.
• Proven experience in legal leadership roles, managing legal departments or significant legal functions.
• Deep understanding of financial services regulations, data privacy laws, and corporate governance.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, leadership, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex legal issues and drive results in a remote setting.
• High level of integrity and ethical standards.
• Ability to work independently and build strong relationships across the organization.

Benefits

• Executive-level salary and comprehensive bonus package.
• Significant equity/share options.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexibility.
• Opportunity to shape the legal strategy of a leading FinTech company.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Professional development support and leadership training.
• A highly collaborative and innovative work environment.