Head of Legal – Non-Banking Financial Services | Claremont

About the Client

Our client is a leading, highly respected South African financial services group specializing in wealth management, asset management, and broader non-banking financial solutions. With a diverse ecosystem comprising a CIS manager, retirement fund administrator, long-term insurer, and treasury outsource business, they offer an intellectually stimulating environment with significant legal complexity.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Head of Legal will lead and empower a small, dynamic legal team. You will serve as a strategic legal advisor to group entities, executive leadership, and operational business units.

• Strategic Legal Leadership: Provide comprehensive legal counsel across diverse operations, including wealth management, asset management, linked long-term insurance, collective investment schemes, treasury solutions, and marketing.
• New Business & Growth: Advise on legal risks and lead the legal execution of new business ventures and strategic initiatives.
• Contracts & Commercial: Draft, vet, and negotiate complex commercial contracts, vendor agreements, and client-facing documentation.
• Regulatory Engagement & Industry Representation: Proactively interpret regulatory changes, update executive leadership, and represent the group at industry bodies (such as ASISA).
• Compliance & Governance: Partner closely with the Compliance department and manage relationships with external legal counsel.
• Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and drive performance within the internal legal team.

• Education: LLB degree and admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Experience:
• Minimum 15 years post-qualification legal experience (PQE).
• At least 12 years dedicated experience as an in-house legal advisor or practicing attorney specializing in non-banking financial services law.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing a team.
• Expertise: Deep knowledge of general commercial law and non-banking financial services regulation in South Africa.
• Skills & Attributes: Strong negotiation skills, exceptional contract drafting abilities, high ethical standards, hands-on leadership style, and strong business insight.