Senior Mergers & Acquisitions Counsel

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary & bonus potential

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Retirement fund contributions

Professional development & training

International exposure

Sandton-based role

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a senior M&A counsel to join a leading financial services group in Sandton, Gauteng. You will manage all legal aspects of deal execution, from due diligence and structuring to negotiation, drafting SPAs and closing, coordinating with internal teams and external advisors.

The ideal candidate is admitted as an attorney in South Africa with at least 10 years post-qualification experience in M&A and corporate finance, proven cross-border deal management, and exceptional

Qualifications

• Admitted SA attorney with extensive M&A and corporate finance experience.
• Minimum 10 years post-qualification experience in cross-border deals.
• Proven track record in managing complex M&A transactions and negotiations.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the legal aspects of M&A deals, including due diligence, deal structuring, and negotiation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate SPAs, APAs, and Shareholders' Agreements.
• Advise senior management on legal risks and strategic considerations related to potential M&A activities.
• Coordinate with external counsel, investment bankers, and other advisors involved in transactions.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and stock exchange rules throughout the transaction process.
• Manage post-closing integration and legal aspects of corporate restructurings.
• Conduct legal research and provide analysis on complex corporate and transactional matters.
• Assist in the development and implementation of M&A playbooks and best practices.
• Advise on corporate governance and compliance related to transactions.

Skills

Negotiation

Drafting

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication

Cross-border deals

Education

Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leading diversified financial services group, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Counsel to join their prestigious legal department in Sandton, Gauteng . This role is instrumental in supporting the company's strategic growth objectives through the execution of complex M&A transactions, joint ventures, and corporate restructurings. The successful candidate will manage all legal aspects of deal execution, from initial due diligence and structuring to negotiation, drafting of transaction agreements, and closing. You will work closely with internal business teams, external legal advisors, and financial institutions to ensure successful and legally sound deal closures. This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity for a senior M&A lawyer to make a significant impact within a highly respected organization in South Africa's premier business hub. Join our team in Sandton and contribute to shaping the future of our group's expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the legal aspects of M&A transactions, including due diligence, deal structuring, and negotiation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate key transaction documents such as Share Purchase Agreements (SPAs), Asset Purchase Agreements (APAs), and Shareholders' Agreements.
• Advise senior management and business units on legal risks and strategic considerations related to potential M&A activities.
• Coordinate with external legal counsel, investment bankers, and other advisors involved in transactions.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and stock exchange rules throughout the transaction process.
• Manage post-closing integration and legal aspects of corporate restructurings.
• Conduct legal research and provide analysis on complex corporate and transactional matters.
• Assist in the development and implementation of M&A playbooks and best practices.
• Advise on corporate governance and compliance related to transactions.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• A minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience, with a significant focus on M&A and corporate finance law, preferably from a top-tier law firm or in-house M&A team.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex, cross-border M&A transactions.
• In-depth understanding of South African corporate law, securities regulations, and deal structuring.
• Exceptional negotiation, drafting, and analytical skills.
• Strong project management abilities and the capacity to manage multiple complex deals simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with senior executives and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience in financial services or related sectors is a significant advantage.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary and substantial bonus potential.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement fund contributions.
• Opportunities for professional development and international exposure.
• A dynamic and challenging work environment in the heart of Sandton .
• Significant involvement in high-profile strategic transactions.