Legal Head

• Develop and execute the legal strategy in support of business and Group objectives.
• Act as a strategic advisor to Executive Management and business leadership teams.
• Participate in strategic decision-making by identifying legal risks, opportunities and regulatory implications.
• Influence business strategy through commercially sound and pragmatic legal advice.
• Support growth initiatives, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, operating model changes and transformation programmes.
• Drive a proactive legal partnership model that enables business performance while maintaining sound legal governance.

• Serve as the principal legal advisor to Executive Committees and senior leadership.
• Provide proactive legal support on strategic initiatives, product development, digital innovation and distribution strategies.
• Interpret complex legislation and regulatory requirements and translate them into practical business solutions.
• Prepare legal opinions and legal guidance notes for Executive and Board decision-making.
• Advise on emerging legal and regulatory developments impacting the business.

• Develop and maintain the legal risk framework for business areas within scope.
• Identify, assess and monitor legal risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Provide oversight of material legal risk exposures and escalation processes.
• Report significant legal matters through appropriate governance structures.
• Support the enterprise-wide risk management framework through effective legal risk management practices.
• Promote legal risk awareness and accountability throughout the organisation.

Provide legal advice, guidance and interpretation relating to applicable legislation and regulatory frameworks, including:

• Deeds Registries Act, No. 47 of 1937
• Alienation of Land Act, No. 68 of 1969
• Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act
• Home Loan and Mortgage Disclosure Act
• Pension Funds Act 24 of 1956
• Financial Markets Act 19 of 2012
• Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)
• Consumer Protection Act
• National Credit Act
• Companies Act
• Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS)
• Financial Sector Regulation Act
• Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998
• Currency and Exchanges Act
• Long Term Insurance Act
• Electronics Communications and Transactions Act
• Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA)
• Conduct Standards for Banks
• Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI)
• Electronic Communications and Transactions Act
• Competition Act
• Common Reporting Standard (CRS)
• Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)
• Prudential Standards
• FSCA Conduct Standards

• Provide legal oversight relating to customer outcomes and market conduct requirements.
• Support the integration of Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) principles across business activities.
• Advise on the legal implications of customer propositions, advice processes and product design.
• Review customer journeys, disclosures and communications to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
• Support conduct risk management and remediation initiatives.
• Promote positive customer outcomes through legally sound and customer-centric practices.

Provide legal support relating to:

• Client acquisition and servicing strategies.
• Product development and innovation initiatives.
• Technology and digital platform
• Collections strategies
• Perfecting of Immovable and Movable security

Provide legal oversight and support relating to:

• Outsourcing arrangements.
• Strategic partnership agreements.
• Commercial and procurement contracts.
• Service level agreements.
• Supplier contracts.
• Confidentiality agreements.

Responsibilities include:

• Drafting.
• Reviewing.
• Negotiating.
• Approving.
• Standardising legal templates.
• Managing contractual and commercial legal risk.

• Ensure effective legal governance frameworks across the business.
• Support Executive Committees and governance forums on legal matters.
• Review and maintain legal governance standards and delegated authorities.
• Support policy development and governance enhancements.
• Ensure compliance with governance obligations and corporate governance best practice.
• Provide legal input into governance committee decision-making.

• Act as a key legal contact for regulatory authorities.
• Support regulatory engagements, inspections and inquiries.
• Manage legal aspects of regulatory interactions and submissions.
• Provide legal support during regulatory investigations and enforcement actions.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with relevant regulators and industry bodies.

This includes engagement with:

• National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO)
• Information Regulator
• Competition Commission
• Other applicable regulatory authorities.

• Manage litigation, disputes, complaints and legal recoveries.
• Oversee external legal counsel and litigation strategy.
• Support Ombud and regulatory matters.
• Manage legal costs and litigation expenditure.
• Drive timely resolution of legal disputes.
• Protect the organisation from legal and reputational risk.

• Lead legal interpretation and implementation of regulatory reforms.
• Assess the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the business.
• Support large-scale change and transformation programmes.
• Advise on legal considerations relating to new operating models and digital transformation.
• Drive legal readiness for regulatory change initiatives.

• Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing legal team.
• Build legal capability aligned to future business requirements.
• Drive succession planning, talent management and employee development.
• Coach and mentor legal professionals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Promote diversity, inclusion and transformation objectives.
• Manage team performance and employee engagement.

• Manage the legal function budget.
• Oversee external legal service provider expenditure.
• Ensure efficient utilisation of legal resources.
• Drive cost-effective legal service delivery.
• Monitor legal spend and identify opportunities for optimisation.

Develop and maintain trusted relationships with:

• Executive Management
• Business Heads
• Risk Management
• Compliance
• Internal Audit
• Product Houses
• External Legal Counsel
• Industry Bodies
• Regulators

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB).
• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.

• Postgraduate qualifications in Property Law, Commercial Law, Financial Services Law, Governance, Risk Management or a related field.
• Leadership or Executive Development qualification (advantageous).

• Minimum 10-15 years post-admission legal experience.
• Significant senior legal leadership experience within financial services.
• Experience supporting Executive Committees and governance forums.
• Experience in banking or financial services.
• Experience advising on financial services regulation and conduct requirements.
• Experience leading legal teams and managing external counsel.
• Experience supporting strategic business transformation initiatives.

• Strategic leadership.
• Commercial acumen.
• Legal risk management.
• Regulatory expertise.
• Corporate governance.
• Executive influence.
• Stakeholder management.
• Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Decision-making and judgment.
• Change leadership.
• People leadership and coaching.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.