Legal jobs in South Africa

Who are we?

Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS) is focused on serving our retail and corporate clients in South Africa and further developing our strategic advantages in the South African market. Sanlam Life and Savings consists of the following business units Retail Mass, Corporate, Risk and Savings, Glacier and various business enabling functions. The Sanlam Life and Savings Office provides strategic direction, coordination and support to the four clusters, as well as performing governance oversight that includes assurance provided by second line of defense functions in SLS, to enable us to meet our business objectives.

Core Tasks:

To lead and provide strategic legal advice and business support, on complex insurance (including reinsurance), retirement funds and other financial services matters to various business units within the Sanlam Life and Savings and Fintech clusters, enabling sustainable business growth, managing legal risk, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The role involves stakeholder engagement, policy influence, and oversight of legal frameworks across the organization.

• Strategic legal advisory: advise executive leadership on legal implications of strategic business initiatives, product development and market expansion.
• Lead legal input into the design and rollout of insurance, retirement funds and financial services products.
• Reviewing product development material and providing legal sign-off where required.
• Advising on product related queries from business and control functions.
• Governance and regulatory engagement: represent Sanlam at required internal and external stakeholder engagements including in engagements with ASISA, FSCA, PA.
• Legal Risk management: identify emerging legal risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Contractual and commercial leadership: Oversee negotiation, drafting of high value and complex contracts including reinsurance, distribution, transaction agreements.
• Leadership and mentorship: mentor junior legal advisors and contribute to legal team development.
• Collaborating, as necessary, with other units in the Legal Centre of Excellence.
• Interpreting legislation and advising on the impact of relevant legislation on the business.
• Draft, review and vet complex legal documents, including contracts.
• Analyse disputes – consider, negotiate, implement and manage appropriate solutions.
• Assisting with complaints by providing legal advice and guidance.

Role Requirements:

Qualifications:

• LLB or higher legal qualification
• Admitted Attorney or Advocate

Experience:

• At least 8 years’ experience (6 years’ post admission)
• At least 5 years’ relevant experience within the financial services industry of which 3 years have been in a senior advisory role

Knowledge and Skills:

• Deep knowledge of legislation impacting Sanlam Life including the FSRA, Insurance Act, PFA, FAIS, CISCA, FICA, POPIA and related regulatory frameworks
• Exposure to new product development in the financial services industry
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of contract negotiating and drafting.
• Computer skills (MS Office)

Personal Attributes

• Business insight - Contributing through others
• Builds networks - Contributing through others
• Manages complexity - Contributing through others
• Persuades - Contributing through others

Core Competencies

• Being resilient - Contributing through others
• Collaborates - Contributing through others
• Cultivates innovation - Contributing through others
• Customer focus - Contributing through others
• Drives results - Contributing through others

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

Closing date: 26 September 2025

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.