Senior Legal Advisor

Hollard Insurance Company Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance firm in Johannesburg seeks a Mid-Senior Legal Advisor focused on managing legal risks and ensuring compliance. The role involves supporting business units, drafting contracts, and managing litigation. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of legal experience and strong leadership skills within the insurance sector. This full-time position offers the opportunity to work closely with various stakeholders and oversee innovative legal initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of legal experience, preferably in the insurance sector.
• Experience managing legal risks and compliance initiatives.
• Strong negotiation skills and contract management experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist Head of Legal in managing the legal strategy and function.
• Build relationships with stakeholders across the business.
• Draft and negotiate various contracts and agreements.
• Manage litigation matters and represent the legal function.

Skills

Legal risk management

Compliance

Litigation management

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder relationship management

Team leadership

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.

Job Details

Seniority level : Mid‑Senior level

Employment type : Full‑time

Job function : Legal

Industry : Insurance