Governance and Legal Specialist at Institute of Directors South Africa

Job description

The perfect role for someone who wants to specialise in corporate governance and is eager to create a name for themselves in the governance landscape. This role will afford the individual the opportunity to learn and interact with subject matter experts and high-profile individuals; and become an IoDSA technical representative on various platforms.

This role will be well suited for someone with solid experience in the practical application of company laws, rules, codes and standards to business as well as the King IV Report on Corporate Governance. The ideal candidate will be proactive, compliance-driven, research orientated and hands on to ensure fit-for-purpose solutions and drafting. Ability to interpret and relay legislation, rules and other information in an accessible, understandable and user-friendly manner is critical. Attention to detail and accuracy of content is non-negotiable for this position.

The Governance and Legal Specialist role is required to create and maintain governance thought leadership and provide governance advisory services to IoDSA members and corporate clients.

 Key responsibilities and duties

Governance Advisory

• Providing a central source of guidance and advice to the IoDSA members in respect to the Companies Act and King IV.
• Overseeing and growing the IoDSA Corporate Governance Advisory Services, which includes inter alia:
  • applying solid business judgment understanding verbal and written briefs, in order to create applicable scopes of work
  • drafting proposals and agreements
  • managing multiple projects drafting and/or reviewing various types of deliverables
  • developing, improving and innovating products and services
  • ensuring customer satisfaction and excellent customer experience at all times
  • promoting IoDSA services for business growth
• Providing technical expertise in advisory projects
• Internal reporting on department financial and other performance key indicators (including preparation of forecasts, yearly budgets, business plan development etc.)

Thought Leadership Publications and Research

• Drafting and reviewing IoDSA guidance papers
• Identifying topics for papers, technical events and research
• Conducting research and producing publications (in-house or in collaboration with others)
• Performing client presentations and other speaking engagements on King IV and related corporate governance topics
• Representing the IoDSA on selected Forums and Committees and providing relevant technical input
• Overseeing the publications library on the IoDSA website and mobile App
• Overseeing the Governance Research Platform on the IoDSA website
• Writing and publishing regular topical legal/governance articles

Corporate Services (on a ad hoc basis as may be required)

• Corporate services (i.e. board evaluations, customed director development and advisory services) product development input, sitting in briefings with potential clients, review of proposals and reports/deliverables for projects
• Responding to King IV technical support queries

Advocacy

• Keeping current on latest laws, regulations and governance trends impacting directors
• Creating content to alert IoDSA members of legislative or regulatory changes that impact them
• Interpreting the impact of new proposed laws and regulations and drafting applicable comment letters

 Attitude & Personal Attributes

• Committed to and aligned with the greater purpose of the IoDSA
• Dependable and ethical
• Driven, high energy levels, with a practical and efficient approach
• Good business acumen and ability to apply the law/corporate governance principles practically to business operations
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Excellent research ability and interpretation skills
• Solution oriented and agile
• Focused on continuous excellence and improvement
• Inquisitive and innovative mind (ability to think outside of the box, continuous learning, creative and inventive specifically when it comes to product development)
• Works independently and not afraid to get hands dirty (will have to do the work independently as there is no support team)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (business writing acumen and ability to articulate concepts accurately in English)
• Proactively prioritises work and is able to juggle several tasks at once
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines
• Excellent people/customer skills and ability to interact at board and executive level
• Confident to speak and present in front of crowds
• Professional image

Experience, Training, Knowledge and Required Skills

•  Bachelor of Commerce and/or Laws Degree (LLB), preferably company or commercial law and/or governance related post graduate degree. Other relevant qualifications will be considered based on relevant work experience
• Admitted attorney (preferrable, other professional designations will be considered)
• Minimum of 3 years post qualification relevant experience
• Sound knowledge of the Companies Act (2008) and King Reports on Corporate Governance
• Corporate/commercial law consulting experience
• Experience in research and drafting of comment letters, guidance notes, research reports, papers and articles
• Management level experience – projects and department oversight preferable
• Member queries or professional body experience will be advantageous
• Excellent business writing as well as financial record-keeping and reporting on department figures