Lead Specialist – Legal (Transactional Banking)

About the role

Absa is seeking a Lead Specialist – Legal to join its Transactional Banking Legal team. The role will focus on legal risk across the Pan‑Africa Cash Management business, providing expert advice on complex financial products, regulatory obligations and cross‑border transactions.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the trusted legal advisor to business units, translating market, regulatory and client insights into tailored cash‑management and trade‑finance solutions.
• Lead the structuring, execution and documentation of complex financial products, ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Develop and maintain legal risk frameworks, controls and escalation protocols, conducting product stress‑testing and scenario analysis.
• Shape product design and innovation, localising global offerings for South African and pan‑African markets and embedding automation and analytics into workflows.
• Maintain high‑quality legal templates, product documentation and internal policies, driving continuous improvement and supporting internal training.
• Represent legal and product interests in internal committees, governance forums and industry‑wide initiatives.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent, admitted attorney/advocate; postgraduate qualification in Banking, Corporate or Commercial Law is preferred.
• 10+ years post‑admission legal experience, including 5‑7 years in corporate and investment banking, with extensive exposure to cross‑border CIB transactions.