Head of Office (Level 2) – Johannesburg

About the role

The organisation is a national public entity delivering legal services to indigent and vulnerable persons across South Africa. As Head of Office (Level 2) you will lead the Johannesburg office, ensuring high‑quality service delivery and compliance with legal and ethical standards. This senior role combines strategic leadership, client‑centric management and financial oversight.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership to office staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Develop and implement strategies to achieve organisational objectives and enhance service delivery.
• Mentor and manage office staff, supporting professional growth and development.
• Oversee the provision of high‑quality legal services, ensuring adherence to legal and ethical standards.
• Monitor and evaluate service delivery processes, identifying improvement areas and implementing corrective actions.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, government agencies, community organisations and funders.
• Represent the organisation at meetings, conferences and public events, advocating for the office and its clients.
• Collaborate with external partners to leverage resources and support community initiatives.
• Manage the office budget, allocate resources responsibly and monitor financial performance.
• Prepare financial reports and forecasts for senior management and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and organisational policies.
• Implement risk‑management strategies and conduct regular audits to address compliance gaps.

Required profile

• An LLB degree or equivalent (NQF level 8) and admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, in good standing.
• At least ten (10) years post‑admission legal practice experience, including five (5) years in court or legal management.
• Extensive knowledge of court processes (Magistrate Court, High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal, Land Court, Labour Courts, Constitutional Court).
• Demonstrated ability to train Candidate Attorneys and newly appointed legal practitioners.
• Experience in budget preparation and financial management.
• Strong leadership, people‑development and communication skills.
• Commitment to social justice, equality and empowerment of marginalized communities.

Required skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Outlook.