Director: Legal Services (Job Level 5) at Stellenbosch University

Duties        

General:

• Providing strategic vision, leadership, and management to SU Legal Services.

Compliance and Risk Management at a strategic level, including:

• Working closely with the Deputy Registrar: Governance Support and the Compliance Officer;
• Providing expert advice on commercial contracts between SU and external parties;
• Managing compliance with all contractual and institutional agreements;
• Advising on legal risk.

Legal advice, including:

• Providing expert legal advice to the campus community;
• Formulating and communicating legal opinions to affected members of the campus community;
• Reviewing and advising on proposed legislation;
• Advising on commercial contracts;
• Participating in the development and implementation of policies and procedures as and when required;
• Advising on internal legal processes, including student discipline. 

Litigation, including:

• Conducting factual investigations;
• Supporting general counsel in selecting courses of action and allocating appropriate resources;
• Supporting general counsel in briefing legal representatives, University management and council as applicable.

Knowledge management, including:

• The establishment and maintenance of an internal database of all opinions, contracts, and other precedents;
• Sharing legal knowledge and expertise with relevant internal stakeholders.

Stakeholder relations, including:

• The development and maintenance of positive working partnerships with external stakeholders;
• Liaising and collaborating with other environments in the institution as applicable;
• Developing effective, collaborative relationships and networking with all internal clients and external stakeholders.

Operations management:

• People management, including the development of a challenging and rewarding working environment;
• Compiling an annual divisional budget and managing costs against an approved budget;
• Regular reporting to the Registrar, Audit and Risk Committee and Social and Business Ethics Committee on functions in Legal Services.

Job Requirements        

• An LLB degree
• Registration as attorney or advocate;
• At least eight years' relevant experience;
• Proven ability to build strategic relationships and partnerships;
• Proven ability to manage teams;
• A high level of written and verbal communication skills;
• Proven skills to negotiate at a senior level;
• Excellent judgement, critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills;
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with solid judgement and discretion;
• Business acumen and highly effective negotiation skills;
• The ability to represent the University externally as required and to build consensus and strong relationships with relevant stakeholders, including with executive management;
• Demonstrated written analyses and verbal presentation skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a matrix environment which requires strong organisational skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities and the willingness to collaborate and 
• work in cross-functional teams;
• The ability to function effectively in a multilingual and multicultural environment;
• The ability to work and function effectively in a high-pressure environment.
• As part of the interview process, shortlisted candidates could be expected to perform an assessment test, including a short presentation, based on the requirements as set out in the advertisement.
• Recommendation        
• Practical experience in litigation and legal processes;
• Experience of working in a higher education environment;
• Specialised knowledge of the regulatory environment of Higher Education institutions;
• The ability to communicate effectively in a second official South African language, other than English.