Senior Legal Advisor

Hollard; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 850 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance firm in Johannesburg is seeking a Legal Advisor to support business operations by managing legal risks and compliance. This role involves overseeing a team while providing hands-on legal support, including contract negotiation and litigation management. Ideal candidates will have a law degree and experience in the insurance sector, with strong stakeholder management skills. The position offers an opportunity to influence legal strategy within a respected organization.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a similar legal advisory role focused on compliance and risk management.
• Strong understanding of legal concepts in the insurance sector, particularly life insurance.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head of Legal in managing the legal function and strategy.
• Build relationships with stakeholders for tailored legal support.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts.
• Manage litigation matters and represent the legal function at internal forums.

Skills

Legal advisory

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiation

Litigation management

Compliance monitoring

Education

Law degree

Job description

Job Purpose :

The role is focused on supporting the business in managing legal risk, ensuring compliance, and providing strategic and operational legal support. This includes managing contractual, litigation, regulatory, and IP-related risks, while also serving as a trusted advisor to business stakeholders. The role combines both leadership responsibilities (managing a team of 4 – 5 resources) and hands‑on legal advisory functions.

Key Responsibilities :

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Assist the Head of Legal in managing the group legal function and strategy.
• Build long‑term, trusted relationships with all stakeholders (business units, central functions, group compliance, finance, marketing, human capital, specialist divisions, etc.).
• Act as the liaison for designated business units, fully understanding their operations and providing tailored legal support.
• Manage and mentor junior legal advisors and administrators.
• Provide technical legal training and coaching to stakeholders across the business.

Legal Risk & Compliance (Insurance specific with a special focus on Life Insurance)

• Monitor and report on legal and contractual compliance in collaboration with compliance and senior leadership.
• Interpret and embed new laws and regulations, providing guidance, impact summaries, and communication to the business.
• Ensure compliance with group legal and governance policies.
• Support Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) initiatives and customer service standards.
• M&A support and structuring.

Contracting & Documentation

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including commercial, policy wordings, and regulatory agreements.
• Provide legal interpretation on contracts, legislation, policy wordings, and complex claims.
• Maintain effective contract management systems.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Manage litigation matters by appointing attorneys, monitoring progress, and controlling legal costs.
• Represent the legal function at internal forums (e.g., claims, policy wording, adjudicator forums).

Special Projects & IP Management

• Lead or project manage special ad hoc projects requiring legal expertise.