Legal Compliance Manager

Client Summary:

Our client is a dynamic, multidisciplinary strategy and management consulting firm. They serve as a trusted advisor to both public and private sectors globally, focusing on designing, financing, and implementing strategies for infrastructure and essential services across sectors like energy, transport, and water. They are dedicated to improving quality of life and building resilience through innovative and practical solutions in complex, multi-jurisdictional environments.

Job Description:

This is a pivotal, newly created opportunity for an established legal expert to step in and build the internal legal and compliance function from the ground up following a significant strategic acquisition. Reporting into senior operations leadership, you will be the go-to subject matter expert, transforming current processes and establishing robust governance frameworks.

This role is ideal for a hands-on, commercially minded legal professional who thrives on autonomy and impact. You won't just be advising; you will be designing the legal infrastructure, standardizing templates, and leading the implementation of a new Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system. If you are ready to move beyond maintenance and actively shape the legal backbone of a growing international organization, this is your chance to make an immediate and lasting impact.

Responsibilities:

Establish and Own the Internal Legal Framework: Take full ownership of building and maturing the internal legal, risk, and compliance functions, acting as the primary legal subject matter expert for the business.

Drive Contract Excellence: Manage the entire contract lifecycle (drafting, negotiation, execution, amendments) for a diverse range of agreements, including client, partnership, and supplier contracts.

Implement Governance Systems: Lead the successful implementation and optimization of the new Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system, enhancing visibility and performance tracking.

Mitigate Legal Risk: Develop and embed proactive legal risk management frameworks, providing expert guidance on emerging legislation (including data protection like POPIA) impacting international operations.

Ensure Corporate Integrity: Execute essential company secretarial functions, maintain statutory records, and manage regulatory filings.

Manage Statutory Compliance: Oversee the annual B-BBEE verification process and provide ongoing guidance on B-BBEE implications in procurement and partnerships.

Enable Business Operations: Translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable advice for internal stakeholders and design training programs to build legal awareness across the organization.

Requirements:

Must-Haves

LLB degree and admittance as a practicing attorney or advocate in the High Court of South Africa.

Minimum of eight years of relevant experience in a corporate or commercial legal environment.

Proven, strong experience in commercial contract drafting and negotiation within professional services or project-based settings.

Solid working knowledge of data protection legislation, for example POPIA.

Demonstrated experience building compliance programs and internal controls.

Practical experience with company secretarial duties.

Practical experience applying B-BBEE legislation.

Highly independent, self-starting, commercially pragmatic, and comfortable operating without constant supervision.

Nice-to-Haves

Direct experience supporting a legal function within a larger group structure post-qualification.

Exposure to donor-funded or development-sector contracts.

Familiarity with aligning local standards to international corporate group standards.

Experience in fraud prevention or complex regulatory investigation oversight.

Proficiency with specific CLM software platforms.