Senior Director Legal Services

Nelson Mandela University; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 750 000; Full time

Job summary

A South African university is seeking an experienced legal professional to provide strategic leadership and legal guidance. The ideal candidate will have an LLM degree and 8-10 years of experience in various areas of law including Constitutional and Commercial law. Key responsibilities include ensuring compliance, managing financial resources, and leading human resource management. A proven ability to motivate teams and advance the University’s interests is essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Proven 8-10 years of experience in various legal areas including Constitutional law and Contract law.
• Experience in legal services in Higher Education is advantageous.
• Ability to inspire and motivate the Legal Services team.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership in legal services across the institution.
• Ensure accurate legal guidance is offered to the University.
• Administer financial and physical resources efficiently.
• Lead in human resource management and compliance reporting.

Skills

Legal expertise

Change management

Complex problem-solving

Finance management

Project management

Influencing and negotiation

Education

LLM degree

Admission as an Advocate or attorney

Registration with the Legal Practice Council

Job description

CORE PURPOSE OF JOB

This position requires a knowledgeable and experienced legal professional across multiple areas of the law with a pragmatic solutions-orientated approach, who can successfully navigate the University’s legal, policy and strategic environment.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Provide strategic leadership and alignment with regard to legal services across the institution
• Ensure that comprehensive and accurate legal guidance is provided to the University
• Efficient administration and optimisation of financial and physical resources
• Provide leadership in human resource management
• Corporate governance and compliance reporting

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Ability to deal with ambiguity and make well-reasoned decisions.
• Change management and transformation
• Well-developed written, verbal and communication and networking skills Strategic thinking
• Complex problem-solving skills
• Influencing and negotiation
• Resilience and Versatility.
• Finance management
• Project Management

Requirements

• LLM degree
• Admission as an Advocate (with pupillage) or attorney.
• Registration with the Legal Practice Council.
• Instruct and manage external legal and other professional advisors to protect and promote the University’s financial, operational, commercial and reputational interests on an efficient, consistent and timely basis.
• Proven 8 – 10 years knowledge and experience in areas of the law including Constitutional law, Administrative law, Contract law, Commercial law, PAIA and PAJA.
• Vet and draft complex contracts of a commercial nature, and high-level legal opinions.
• Experience in legal services in Higher Education will be an advantage
• The University is seeking an individual who meets the technical expertise for the position, have proven leadership and management skills, can inspire and motivate the Legal Services team, and has credibility amongst their peers

DISCLAIMER

Nelson Mandela University is a designated employer committed to pursuing excellence, diversity, inclusion, and redress in achieving its employment equity targets. Preference will be given to suitably qualified (Race and Gender) candidates in accordance with the University's employment equity targets. No applications will be accepted after the closing date Friday, 30 January 2026.