Legal & Compliance Officer

About the role

The Legal & Compliance Officer will act as the primary internal legal resource for a diversified group operating in finance, property, construction, transport, and engineering. Reporting to executive leadership, the role combines hands‑on contract work, regulatory advice, and risk management in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review and co‑negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including service agreements, mandate/engagement letters, supplier contracts, NDAs and fee arrangements.
• Maintain and improve the legal agreements template library.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of operational contracts – renewals, amendments, notice periods, cancellations, breaches and terminations.
• Provide internal advice on contractual risk and recommend appropriate protections.
• Advise business units on employment law matters, regulatory compliance (including POPIA and FICA), governance and risk management.
• Liaise with external counsel and manage litigation portfolios as required.

Required profile

• LLB from a recognised South African university.
• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa in good standing, with no adverse disciplinary record.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience (articles, in‑house or corporate), with rotation across multiple legal specialities.
• Strong commercial contract experience and proven ability to advise on regulatory and compliance matters.
• Exposure to employment law, property law, construction law and standard‑form contracts (NEC, JBCC).
• Exceptional attention to detail, high intellectual capability and a strong academic track record.

Required skills

• Commercial contract drafting and negotiation.
• Regulatory compliance knowledge (POPIA, FICA).
• Employment law expertise.
• Construction law familiarity (NEC, JBCC).
• Litigation and external counsel management.

What we offer

• Opportunity to work across a diversified, ethically‑driven group.
• Exposure to multiple sectors including finance, property, construction and engineering.
• Professional development in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment.