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MASA SA opportunity

Senior Legal Advisor

SENIOR LEGAL ADVISOR Location: Woodmead, JohannesburgEmployment Type: Permanent, Full-TimeWork Arrangement: Office-BasedDepartment: LegalReporting To: Head of Legal / CEO

Permanent South Africa - Gauteng, Johannesburg - North (Sandton / Midrand / Diepsloot) Legal
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Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Advisor to provide expert legal guidance and strategic support across the organisation.
The successful candidate will take the lead on complex litigation and arbitration matters, provide commercial and contractual advice, oversee legal risk, and support the development and implementation of effective governance and compliance frameworks.
This role is suited to a highly experienced attorney who is comfortable managing high-stakes commercial disputes independently, engaging with Senior Counsel and external legal teams, and providing well-reasoned legal opinions to support operational and executive decision-making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Litigation & Dispute Resolution

  • Lead and manage litigation and arbitration matters on behalf of the organisation.
  • Draft, review and finalise litigation documentation, including legal memoranda, statements of claim, affidavits, arbitration submissions and related filings.
  • Develop dispute resolution strategies and provide ongoing legal guidance to internal stakeholders.
  • Engage directly with external legal counsel, regulatory authorities and Senior Counsel on complex matters.
  • Monitor dispute-related risks, timelines and legal strategies.

2. Contracting & Commercial Advisory

  • Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts, agreements and legal documentation.
  • Conduct detailed contract analysis and provide legal opinions on contractual risks and obligations.
  • Advise stakeholders on risk allocation, contractual compliance and appropriate mitigation measures.
  • Prepare formal legal and business correspondence, including notices, letters and responses to counterparties.
  • Assist with cross-border transactions and advise on relevant jurisdictional considerations.

3. Legal Operations, Governance & Compliance

  • Coordinate legal workflows between Legal, Commercial, Operations and Finance.
  • Develop, review and implement internal policies, procedures, templates and governance documentation.
  • Support the monitoring of internal, contractual and regulatory compliance obligations.
  • Identify areas of legal and compliance risk and recommend appropriate corrective action.
  • Facilitate internal legal training relating to legal processes, contractual obligations and risk management.

4. Strategic Legal Advisory

  • Prepare comprehensive legal opinions, briefing notes and executive summaries for senior management.
  • Highlight key legal risks, obligations and recommended courses of action.
  • Provide strategic guidance on legal risk mitigation.
  • Support business initiatives and projects requiring legal assessment and input.
  • Provide practical, commercially focused legal advice to management and operational stakeholders.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

  • LLB degree or equivalent legal qualification recognised in South Africa.
  • Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
  • Minimum 7 years’ post-qualification experience.
  • Strong experience in litigation and arbitration.
  • Proven commercial and dispute law experience.
  • Experience managing complex legal matters independently.
  • Strong knowledge of legal processes, governance, policies and procedures.
  • Excellent contract drafting, reviewing and negotiation skills.
  • Strong analytical, research and legal writing abilities.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple high-priority matters simultaneously.

ADVANTAGEOUS EXPERIENCE

  • Previous experience within the mining industry or mining-related environment.
  • Experience dealing with disputes arising from mining activities or large commercial contracts.
  • Proven experience developing dispute resolution strategies and managing arbitration proceedings.
  • Experience working with Senior Counsel and external legal teams.
  • Exposure to cross-functional environments involving Finance, Operations, Commercial and Executive Management.
  • Experience working in-house within a corporate or commercial organisation will be highly advantageous.
  • Candidates with experience transitioning from private legal practice into an in-house legal environment may be particularly well suited to the role.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

The successful candidate will be a commercially minded and highly experienced legal professional who can operate independently while working closely with senior management and multiple business functions.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

  • Strong commercial awareness and sound legal judgement.
  • The ability to assess complex situations and provide practical solutions.
  • Confidence in managing high-value and high-risk disputes.
  • Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
  • A strategic approach to legal risk.
  • Strong attention to detail and exceptional drafting ability.
  • The ability to communicate complex legal matters clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
  • Professional maturity, discretion and integrity.
  • The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, demanding environment.

REMUNERATION

Market-related remuneration package, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Interested candidates are invited to submit a comprehensive CV demonstrating their relevant qualifications, post-admission experience, litigation and arbitration exposure, commercial legal experience and, where applicable, mining or in-house legal experience.
Please note: Only candidates meeting the minimum requirements and relevant experience will be considered.

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