Senior Legal Advisor

Hollard Insurance; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company in Johannesburg is seeking a Mid-Senior level Senior Legal Advisor to support its business in managing legal risks and ensuring compliance. This position requires strong leadership skills as you will manage a team of 4-5 legal advisors and provide operational legal support across various business units. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in drafting and negotiating contracts, handling litigation matters, and ensuring adherence to legal and governance policies. This is a full-time position with a focus on life insurance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a legal advisory role, preferably in the insurance industry.
• Proficient in legal risk management, compliance, and contract negotiation.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and mentor a team.

Responsibilities

• Support business units by providing tailored legal advice.
• Manage legal risk and compliance related to insurance and regulatory matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate various legal contracts and documentation.

Job description

Senior Legal Advisor

Hollard Insurance

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

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.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Function

Legal

Industries

Insurance

Location

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa