Senior Corporate Counsel - Remote First

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

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Flexible hours

Professional development

Competitive salary

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a rapidly expanding legal services firm in finding a Senior Corporate Counsel for a remote-first role in South Africa. You will lead strategic legal initiatives, manage complex corporate matters, and collaborate with internal teams and external counsel to mitigate risk and ensure regulatory compliance.

The successful candidate will have at least 8 years in corporate law, strong drafting and negotiation skills, and a proven ability to work independently in a remote

Qualifications

• Advising on corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, governance and commercial transactions.
• Drafting and negotiating service contracts, NDAs, licensing agreements and partnerships.
• Ensuring compliance with South African and international regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on corporate matters including M&A and governance.
• Draft, review and negotiate a range of legal agreements to protect company interests.
• Manage and oversee corporate compliance programs and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct legal research on evolving frameworks impacting the business.
• Develop internal policies to ensure ethical conduct and best practices.
• Liaise with external counsel on disputes and litigation as needed.
• Advise on employment law, IP protection and data privacy.

Skills

Corporate law

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Legal research

Communication

Tools

Legal research tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding legal services firm, is seeking an accomplished and proactive Senior Corporate Counsel to join their dynamic team. This is a completely remote-first position, offering unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to contribute significantly from anywhere within South Africa. We are looking for a legal professional with a robust background in corporate law, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance. You will play a pivotal role in advising on complex legal matters, mitigating risks, and ensuring the company's adherence to all applicable laws and regulations. This role requires a self-starter who thrives in an independent work environment and possesses exceptional communication skills to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external counsel. The successful candidate will be instrumental in shaping the legal strategy and operational framework of our client's business.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice and strategic guidance on a wide range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance, and commercial transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate various legal agreements, such as service contracts, partnership agreements, NDAs, and licensing agreements, ensuring protection of the company's interests.
• Manage and oversee corporate compliance programs, ensuring adherence to all relevant South African legislation and international legal standards applicable to our client's operations.
• Conduct legal research and provide analysis on evolving legal landscapes that may impact the business.
• Assist in the development and implementation of internal policies and procedures to ensure best practices in legal and ethical conduct.
• Manage and resolve legal disputes and litigation matters, liaising with external counsel as necessary.
• Advise on employment law matters, intellectual property protection, and data privacy regulations.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney with at least 8 years of post-qualification experience in corporate law, gained either in private practice or in-house.
• Proven track record in handling complex corporate transactions and providing strategic legal advice.
• In-depth knowledge of South African corporate law, contract law, and commercial regulations.
• Exceptional drafting and negotiation skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet strict deadlines in a remote setting.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely.
• Proficiency in legal research tools and standard office software.
• Experience with international legal frameworks is advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Fully remote work environment with flexible working hours.
• Opportunity to work with a growing and innovative company.
• Professional development and continuous learning support.
• Contribution to key strategic decisions impacting the business.
• A collaborative and supportive virtual team culture.