Group Legal Advisor
REF: KK682
Market Related Salary
V&A Waterfront, Western Cape
Our client is looking for a Group Legal Advisor to join their team. The successful candidate will be part of the Group Legal Team, responsible for providing legal services to the business. This entails ensuring that the legal and regulatory business needs are met by providing legal expertise and support for all legal and legal-related matters, as well as for certain regulatory compliance-related matters and company secretarial matters.
You will be responsible for assisting / handling a variety of legal matters and projects; acting as counsel on issues involving company compliance with governmental and regulatory standards; reviewing legal documentation and providing advice on appropriate action; coordinating and/or overseeing legal matters requiring external legal assistance; interacting with regulators, industry bodies and other external stakeholders; cultivating constructive relationships that result in stakeholders proactively seeking Group Legal involvement; and on top of all this, contributing meaningfully towards ensuring that the business functions well for clients.
You may also be required to participate in consultative and lobbying efforts and structures regarding legislative and regulatory developments; participate in corporate affairs and corporate governance related matters; provide work leadership and mentoring to less experienced attorneys, as well as functional advice and training.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Providing legal input and opinions when agreements are being negotiated and vetting agreements drafted by other parties and commenting thereon
Drafting and reviewing a wide array of agreements, primarily of a financial services related nature
Advising on ad hoc legal issues
Furnishing legal opinions and advice concerning the company and its clients, such as in relation to contract and legislation interpretation
Advising management, employees and clients on all legal matters
Advising the Investment Team regarding various matters
Performing regulatory lobbying – this includes assisting in commenting on new and draft legislation, including impact analyses
Representing the company at relevant industry workshops/working groups with regard to legislative developments
Providing input on various policies
Advising and assisting with regards to client mandates, applicable legislation and internal rules, processes and policies
Advising on permissible investments
Assisting in further developing, promoting, implementing and maintaining standards and procedures that enable employees to act in an appropriate manner
Advising Company Secretary on internal corporate related matters
Contributing towards the effective administration of the department
Assisting with internal training and education as may be required – this includes work leadership and mentoring other attorneys
Assisting with the completion of statutory returns
Assisting with and conduct the rolling out Group Legal policies
Assisting with the preparation of reports
REQUIREMENTS:
LLB degree (or equivalent) with completed articles
B.Com or similar
Admitted attorney
Very strong academics
3-5 years PQE practical legal experience i.e. excluding articles
Experience in negotiating, drafting and process management of commercial transactions and agreements
Strong proficiency within the financial services industry – asset management in particular
Sound to excellent knowledge of financial markets
Current and relevant knowledge of drafting financial services ‘type’ agreements and all legal aspects of a global best practise asset manager
Working knowledge of and experience with applicable financial services legislation – especially Financial Sector Regulation Act; Pension Funds Act; Collective Investment Schemes Control Act; Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act; Long-Term Insurance Act; Insurance Act; Financial Intelligence Centre Act; Financial Markets Act; Requirements of the South African Reserve Bank in terms of foreign exchange control / Exchange Control Regulations and other key legislation, especially the Protection of Personal Information Act and the Companies Act
Strong drafting, research, analytical, judgement, and problem-solving skills with a methodical, detail‑focused approach that ensures high‑quality, accurate outcomes.