Head: Corporate Legal Services at Santam Insurance

A position of Head Corporate Legal Services exists in Santam Corporate Services. This role may be based at Head Office Tygervalley or Alice Lane Sandton.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Provide proactive and in depth legal advice to the business.
• Act as internal counsel on complex legal matters/projects involving company and to ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory standards.
• Provide commercial legal support to the business relating to corporate actions, working with internal Corporate Finance team.
• Manage legal risk of the Santam Group.
•  The successful candidate will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To provide the Santam Group EXCO and senior management with strategic legal advice regarding legal challenges as well as legal solutions in respect of:
• Distribution and procurement business models in operation from time to time as and when the law changes and opportunities present themselves;
• Insurance law-related matters with specific focus on the legal aspects pertaining to the claims management philosophy and claims settlement processes;
• Legal aspects pertaining to general commercial relationships and corporate actions;
• Legal aspects pertaining to product development and underwriting.
• To provide the Santam Group EXCO with strategic legal advice in respect of legal risks facing the Group and providing strategic solutions to successfully address these risks.
• Keep senior management informed of legal developments impacting the short term insurance industry that will potentially affect business.
• To lead and manage the corporate legal team to effectively manage Santam legal and regulatory risk within a rapidly changing and challenging environment.
• Manage relationship with external legal service providers including overseeing legal matters requiring external legal assistance.
• Build strong working relationships with the legal departments of Santam Group subsidiaries and the Sanlam Group.
• Build strong working relationship with key external stakeholders such as regulators, industry associations, Ombudsman Schemes, legislative authorities etc.

QUALIFICATIONS

•  Law degree and admittance as an attorney or advocate.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• 10 years post-admittance corporate legal managerial experience (preferably in a Financial services environment)
• Experience in leading internal corporate legal teams in a dynamic corporate environment
• Experienced in leading negotiations on complex, high value agreements
• In-depth knowledge of relevant corporate governance and risk management legislation, codes and regulatory requirements that impact the insurance industry  
• Strong leadership capabilities is key to optimising the performance of a team and building credibility across the organisation
• Understanding and knowledge of the financial services industry legislation and regulatory framework
• Compliance with internal Fit and Proper requirements and applicable qualification for holding such role as may be prescribed by law

SKILLS

• Strategic thinking skills
• Problem-solving analytical capabilities
• Ability to conceptualise beyond the parameters of the legal discipline in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the overall business of the Santam Group so as to be able to effectively advise regarding the legal impact of strategic decisions.
• Stakeholder management skills – ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders including legal firms.
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills across all levels
• Dealing with confidentiality
• Ability to draft and manage complex legal documentation within a fast paced corporate environment.
• Ability to ‘think-out-of-the-box’ / lateral thinking
• High initiative/self-starter/proactive and anticipate requirements
• Professionalism, excellent judgement and use of discretion
• Ability to work and make decisions independently
• Computer literate (Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
• Ability to travel regularly

COMPETENCIES

• Collaborates
• Client focus
• Drives results
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Cultivates Innovation
• Organisational Savvy
• Builds Networks
• Manages Complexity
• Persuades
• Risk Management
• Compliance and legal projects management