Senior Manager: Commercial & Legal

Lesedi Nuclear Services Pty. Ltd.; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the energy sector seeks a Senior Manager: Commercial and Legal to lead legal compliance and commercial strategy. This pivotal role requires deep expertise in contract management and risk mitigation to ensure company success and profitability. Ideal candidates will bring over 10 years of industry experience, a strong legal background, and exceptional negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in commercial management or related roles.
• Proven experience with NEC and FIDIC contracts.
• Strong understanding of commercial and construction law.

Responsibilities

• Draft and review contracts ensuring compliance and risk mitigation.
• Oversee legal policy implementation across the organization.
• Manage risk identification workshops and lead the Risk Committee.

Skills

Negotiation

Conflict resolution

Contract management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Degree in Commercial Law, LLB or BCom Law

Diploma or degree in engineering field

Post-graduate qualifications in energy or construction

Job description

PURPOSE OF ROLE

We are seeking a Senior Manager: Commercial and Legal to serve as a key strategic advisor responsible for proactively identifying, assessing, and mitigating legal and commercial risks across our organization. In this critical role, you will ensure our commercial activities and contractual relationships maintain compliance while supporting business objectives. This position requires industry-specific experience within the energy, mining, and construction sectors, with emphasis on providing expert commercial input related to contract structuring, corporate risk mitigation, and governance processes. You will be instrumental in setting up and monitoring our contractual framework to maximize and protect company profits while providing essential legal support to business development teams and managing project agreements throughout their lifecycle.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Legal Counsel

• Draft and review contracts in compliance with internal processes and acceptable risk limits
• Provide internal legal and commercial opinions
• Oversee Legal Policy implementation throughout the organization
• Research and provide legal opinions on various matters
• Pursue legal entitlements and protect against liabilities in existing contracts

Proposals and Projects Support

• Review project proposals to limit company liability
• Negotiate principal contracts with clients
• Prepare and negotiate subcontracts and supplier agreements
• Support with claims and variation management
• Assist project teams with claims preparation and final account negotiation
• Ensure appropriate record-keeping and bond commitment management
• Conduct contract audits as required

Business Development Support

• Review and draft agreements for new project opportunities
• Provide guidance on contractual implications for Project Finance
• Advise on commercial issues and partnering strategies
• Support BBBEE compliance and localization strategies
• Engage with project developers, lenders, equity investors, and advisers

Risk Management

• Lead the Risk Committee in identifying and mitigating company risks
• Facilitate risk identification workshops
• Manage the Company Risk Review Process

Insurance Management

• Procure annual and ad-hoc insurance cover
• Ensure appropriate insurance coverage for assets and projects
• Evaluate available insurance products to mitigate risk areas
• Engage with brokers on project requirements

QUALIFICATION

• Degree in Commercial Law, LLB or BCom Law.
• Diploma or degree in an engineering field (advantageous)
• Post-graduate qualifications related to the energy and construction sector (advantageous)
• Financial qualification/experience (advantageous)

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 10 years of experience in commercial management, contract management, or related risk management roles
• Minimum 10 years of experience in reviewing and managing NEC contracts
• Minimum 5 years of experience in reviewing and managing FIDIC contracts
• Minimum 5 years of experience operating in an engineering company
• Proven track record of successful commercial strategy implementation

COMPETENCIES

Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of commercial and contract law
• Deep knowledge of construction law fundamentals
• Insurance law expertise
• Dispute resolution techniques
• South African legal theory
• Project finance related to capital projects and O&M activities
• Company and project risk management procedures

Skills:

• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Exceptional negotiation abilities
• Conflict resolution expertise
• Contract management proficiency
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Cross-functional collaboration capability

Behaviours:

• Ability to perform well under pressure and meet deadlines
• Strong integrity and ethical judgment
• Self-motivated with ability to independently initiate activities
• Personal accountability and ability to drive responsibility in others
• Conceptual thinking capabilities
• Methodical approach with good attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills

Should you not hear from us within 21 days of the closing of the advert, kindly regard your application to have been unsuccessful.