Legal Executive - SandtonFull job descriptionIntroductionAccountable for analyzing and identifying the legal risks and implications of all of the business's transactions, keeping the senior management in all departments and relevant stakeholders informed of developments in laws and regulations that potentially affect the business. Provide specialist legal advice on legal disputes and litigation matters to ensure legal soundness of operations and effective execution of commercial transactions across the business. Role PurposeAccountable for analyzing and identifying the legal risks and implications of all of the business's transactions, keeping the senior management in all departments and relevant stakeholders informed of developments in laws and regulations that potentially affect the business. Provide specialist legal advice on legal disputes and litigation matters to ensure legal soundness of operations and effective execution of commercial transactions across the business. RequirementsRelevant Legal degree (B Com, BA, B Juris or B Proc)Master of Law (LLM)Admitted attorney or advocate in South AfricaPost graduate qualification preferredAt least 8-10 years’ post admission experience in managing corporate lawSolid compliance and corporate commercial experience preferably from a law firmDemonstrable experience in merger and acquisition processesSolid experience in insurance industry specifically short term and life insuranceAt least 10 years leadership experience of which a minimum of 5 years must be at senior management levelManaging a legal team and providing legal counsel to senior managementDemonstrable experience gained at a law firm highly advantageous Duties & ResponsibilitiesProvide expert advice to business on various legal and technical matters in line with legal framework and best practiceManage litigation related matters to enable a consistent approach and mitigate riskProvide the business executive leadership with a view of legal issues and status of risks and provide expert opinion on any matters arising from this forumEnsure that all legal execution documents are executed in accordance with relevant industry legislation and requirementsProvide legal advice to all stakeholders on any corporate legal related matters to ensure soundness of commercial operations enabling business to achieve its objectivesAdvise, assist or lead on legal negotiations, including the reviewing and drafting of all legal documentationProvide legal advice on client and supplier contractual matters to business stakeholdersReview and ensuring that all relevant client and supplier contractual documents are in line with business and legal requirementsReview, anticipation and guard against legal risks facing the company in projects and transactionsUpdate and educate the business on changes or amendments to business laws and advise how this may affect the business and provide plans to address changesDevelop and drive the implementation of a legal strategy and framework in line with business strategic objectives that ensures stakeholders receive optimal legal supportCommunicate and distil best practice legal concepts into business, ensuring that lessons learned are communicated both within and outside the legal communityIdentify opportunities to develop new processes and practices to strengthen the quality and consistency of legal opinionsDevelop and maintain a platform for sharing legal options, agreements and repositories of information to support the consistency and quality of legal opinions across the businessContinuously monitor the environment to proactively identify potential legal risks and notify the relevant stakeholders of risks and potential solutions to mitigate legal riskReview legal documents for technical correctness and ensure that the latest legal precedents have been included in the documentsProvide support in structuring, negotiating and drafting agreements and documentation in line with business requirements and best practicesProvide legal advice and recommend solutions on strategic projects and initiativesDraft and periodically review standard legal documents or templates in collaboration with the legal communityProvide authoritative, expert advice and litigation support to stakeholdersBuild and maintain relationships with clients and internal and external stakeholdersContribute to the process of negotiating objective and realistic service level agreements, monitor appropriateness and recommend adjustmentsDefine service practices which build rewarding relationships, encourage innovation and allow others to provide exceptional client serviceDeliver on service level agreements made with clients and internal and external stakeholders in order to ensure that client expectations are managedMake recommendations to improve client service and fair treatment of clients within area of responsibilityParticipate and contribute to a culture which builds rewarding relationships, facilitates feedback and provides exceptional client serviceCreate a positive work climate and culture to energise employees, give meaning to work, minimise work disruption and maximise employee productivityDemonstrate exemplary leadership behaviour, through personal involvement, commitment and dedication in support of organisational valuesSelect and recruit suitably qualified talent in line with Employment Equity principles and Guardrisk valuesDrive a culture that guides and directs best practice, fostering an environment of continuous learning, improvement and cohesivenessEnable a learning and growth culture whereby information regarding successes, issues, trends and ideas are actively shared between team membersExecute effective workforce planning practices to ensure that staffing requirements are accurately forecastedIdentify employee growth and development needs and schedule interventions to enable ongoing development, training and personal growthEffectively manage performance within the team in order to ensure business objectives are achievedEncourage innovation, change agility and collaboration within the teamSupport the building of the team’s capability in order to ensure that the team is equipped to strategically partner with business and provide leading solutionsContribute to the financial planning process within areaIdentify opportunities to enhance cost effectiveness and increase operational efficiencyManage financial and other company resources under your control with due respectProvide input into the risk identification processes and communicate recommendations in the appropriate forum CompetenciesBusiness acumenClient commitmentMotivating and InspiringDrive for resultsJudgement and decision makingCollaborationInnovative
