Legal and Compliance Manager - Financial Services

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

About our client:

Our client is a dynamic finance company in South Africa, recently rebranding from to better reflect their specialized focus on providing tailored finance solutions. They offer innovative funding structures to businesses, including commercial property finance, working capital solutions, capital raising and bespoke funding strategies. Their client-centric approach ensures they build strong partnerships, while their rigorous compliance and risk management processes safeguard both their clients and investors. With a dedicated team and a fast-paced environment, our client continues to drive financial solutions that empower businesses to grow and thrive.

This role requires a dynamic and proactive legal professional to support their clients’ deal approval and implementation processes, manage debt recovery strategies, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

Loan Documentation & Deal Support

• Review and finalize draft facility letters, term loan agreements, and bond documents
• Facilitate client signings for loan and bond agreements
• Conduct legal reviews of Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Know Your Customer (KYC) documents for borrowers and related entities
• Engage external commercial attorneys for bespoke drafting
• Ensure timely conclusion of supplemental agreements
• Provide legal support for negotiating new and existing funding lines

Debt Recovery & Litigation:

• Lead the legal recovery process for overdue debts
• Ensure strict adherence to internal arrears management policies
• Negotiate settlement terms with defaulting borrowers
• Draft and issue letters of demand and breach notices
• Oversee litigation matters providing regular reports
• Chair weekly and monthly recoveries meetings

Legal & Compliance Oversight:

• Vet legal agreements (SLA, NDA, etc.), identifying key risks and recommending amendments
• Provide legal opinions on disputes, queries, and contract interpretation
• Design, implement, and maintain legal policies and controls to manage risk and train staff
• Establish and manage full regulatory compliance function
• Ensure accurate internal record-keeping (physical and electronic)
• Oversee and manage FIC compliance, ensuring anti-money laundering protocols are followed, GoAML platform kept up to date and act as compliance officer
• Deliver training sessions on legal and compliance topics for internal teams

Team & Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Manage the Legal Officer, delegating tasks, reviewing work and managing outcomes and performance
• Monitor legal service provider performance and negotiate fees
• Support the sales and finance teams with legal advice
• Assist the CEO with HR-related legal matters, including employment contracts, workplace policies, and dispute resolution

Technology & Innovation:

• Support the implementation and legal oversight of loan management system
• Review and update internal legal templates and documents for accuracy

Key Attributes:

• Strong understanding of legal risks and compliance requirements
• Sharp attention to detail and excellent organisational skills
Effective communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly and confidently
• Ability to perform under pressure and manage multiple priorities
• Dependable, proactive, and deadline driven
• Collaborative mindset with a tactful and professional approach to client and colleague interactions

Key Responsibilities:

• Admitted Attorney & Conveyancer with 5+ years post admissions experience
• In dept knowledge of conveyancing process required if not also admitted as a conveyancer
• Experience in large quantum recoveries required
• Contract negotiation and drafting
• FIC compliance knowledge