Head of Legal
Outsidecapital
March 11, 2026
Full-time
Hybrid (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Head of Legal
Job Description
Title:
Head of Legal
Client Summary
Our client is a dynamic, leading multinational group headquartered in Johannesburg. Operating under numerous sector-leading brands, they span diverse operations across approximately 25 countries. They are known for their commitment to exceptional quality, innovation, and a people-centred business philosophy.
Job Description
Are you a commercially astute legal professional ready to step into a pivotal, high-impact role within a thriving international group? We are seeking a hands-on Head of Legal to act as a crucial strategic partner to the business - assisting across the Group. This is an exceptional opportunity for a "Jack of all Trades" attorney with deep in-house experience to manage complex legal matters across local and international jurisdictions, particularly supporting two key operational divisions. You will be instrumental in protecting the group's interests while driving strategic objectives forward.
You will not just manage risk; you will actively enhance operational efficiency within the legal function, standardize processes, and take immediate ownership of significant commercial and M&A matters. If you thrive on ambiguity, context-switching, and building trusted relationships across diverse cultures, this role offers unparalleled professional breadth.
Responsibilities
* Provide strategic, business-focused legal counsel on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and major strategic initiatives across the group.
* Own the end-to-end contract lifecycle: critically review, draft, and expertly negotiate complex commercial agreements, ensuring alignment with business goals.
* Serve as the trusted legal expert to various designated business divisions, providing primary support while assisting other departments as needed.
* Drive continuous improvement within the legal function by enhancing contract management frameworks and designing standardized, scalable internal legal processes.
* Provide critical analysis and legal oversight for potential M&A transactions and strategic business developments.
* Proactively manage external counsel relationships, coordinating mandates and participating in their selection to ensure cost-effective and high-quality external support.
* Develop and implement litigation prevention strategies, maintain tracking databases, and conduct post-case analyses to embed lessons learned across the business.
Requirements
Must-Haves (Essential):
-
Minimum 8 years of relevant post-qualification legal experience
-
Minimum of 4 years of dedicated in-house experience within a large corporate environment
- Proven, hands-on experience managing complex M&A transactional matters and high-volume contract drafting and negotiation
- Solid working knowledge of South African commercial law and regulatory frameworks
- Exceptional analytical ability, strong stakeholder management skills, and the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
Nice-to-Haves (Beneficial):
- A Master’s qualification in Law
-
Experience operating in a management position within a legal team
-
Familiarity with international legal frameworks beyond South Africa
-
Exposure to intellectual property, privacy matters, or litigation management systems