Johannesburg: Legal Counsel (Institutional)

Role: Legal Counsel (Institutional) Category: Insurance Location: Gauteng Salary: Market-related Our client is a leading financial services group that helps businesses and individuals reach their financial goals and life aspirations. By helping clients grow their savings, protect what matters, and invest for the future, they deliver practical financial solutions through a trusted network of advisers, independent brokers, and innovative platforms. Key Responsibilities: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide array of complex legal documents, including investment management agreements, ISDAs/GMSLAs/GMRAs, note programmes, investment mandates, SLAs, data agreements, and stockbroking agreements. Continuously improve and update contract templates. Efficiently manage contracts through their entire lifecycle. Monitor, report on, and mitigate legal risks and regulatory developments. Identify and communicate legal risks inherent in projects, policies, and systems. Advise internal stakeholders on legal matters, including contracting structures and the interpretation and implementation of legislation. Carry out robust legal research and provide commercially focused legal opinions. Support internal training initiatives regarding legal and regulatory updates. Provide reliable legal support on institutional business initiatives, including launching new portfolios, taking on new clients, and navigating regulatory changes. Collaborate confidently within multi-disciplinary project teams (including portfolio managers, analysts, compliance, and IT teams). Work closely with regulatory compliance and risk teams to manage emerging risks and embed a culture of good governance. Assist in implementing internal controls, systems, and policies to mitigate legal risk. Unpack the impact of legislative developments on various business units. Requirements: Education: BCom LLB or LLB Degree. Professional Standing: Admitted Attorney. Experience: 35 years of post-admission legal experience, preferably gained within an investment or asset management business. Specialised Knowledge: Proven experience in corporate law , complex transactions, alternative investments, corporate governance, global markets documentation, debt and credit instruments, operations of a CIS Manco, and securitisation structures. Regulatory Understanding: Strong knowledge of South African financial sector laws, including FAIS, FICA, CISCA, the Insurance Act, FMA, JSE rules, and POPIA. Skills: Significant, proven experience in complex contract drafting. Advantageous: Any postgraduate qualifications relating to capital/global markets or investment management. Key Competencies: Meticulously detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Exceptional legal writing and contract drafting skills. Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building abilities. Professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and adaptability to change. Openness to embracing and implementing legal and financial technology solutions.