Contracts Counsel at Emerson

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, MEA, the Emerson Middle East and Africa legal team is looking for a Contracts Counsel, based in its Johannesburg office, to review and negotiate contracts with customers while (a) protecting Emerson’s financial and legal interests, (b) appropriately managing risk and (c) ensuring compliance with applicable Emerson corporate policies, procedures, and initiatives effectively and efficiently.

Job Summary

• The Emerson Middle East and Africa legal team is looking for a Contracts Counsel, based in its Johannesburg office, to review and negotiate contracts with customers while (a) protecting Emerson’s financial and legal interests, (b) appropriately managing risk and (c) ensuring compliance with applicable Emerson corporate policies, procedures, and initiatives effectively and efficiently.

Job Description

• Review, negotiate, provide support, and take ownership of the contracts function within the Middle East and Africa region.

Job Responsibilities

• Take ownership of contracts-related services and provide comprehensive direction in compliance with applicable policies and legal and ethical standards.
• Evaluate and amend contracts (ability to analyze complex contractual terms and apply Emerson contracting principles, whilst having consideration for technical and business requirements) 
• Draft agreements and transaction documents
• Negotiate terms face-to-face with customers (e.g., ability to persuade external customers to adhere to Emerson contracting principles; ability to explain Emerson’s requirements and Emerson’s rationale behind those requirements)
• Types of documents include (but are not limited to): requests for quotation, general and special terms and conditions, nondisclosure agreements, bank guarantees, memorandums of understanding, letters of intent, agency and distribution agreements, frame agreements, international and multi-business unit contracts, etc.
• Conduct and develop contracts training.
• Partner with business leaders in making informed decisions and securing appropriate approvals.
• Includes advising the business on risks involved, how risks should be mitigated and how risks could have a practical impact on the business.
• Interface with customers, members of the legal team, business personnel (sales, project management, etc.) and other stakeholders and drive deals to closure
• Analyze business, financial, and legal risks.
• Research, critically analyze and apply expertise to existing agreements and contractual programs.
• Gathering and analyzing data and preparing reports
• Lead the development and implementation of corporate policies, precedents, contract audits, global initiatives and other additional tasks as required.
• Support the South Africa organization and the MEA law department on matters requiring legal support throughout the region (including employment law, data protection etc.).

Basic Qualifications

• LLB
• Admitted Attorney
• 0-2 years post articles experience in a role requiring contract drafting and review.
• Strong English communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Fluency in key languages used within the MEA region, specifically French, Portuguese and/or Arabic will be a strong advantage.
• Top 5 commercial law firm experience will be a strong advantage.
• Multinational company experience