Head of Legal at Omnia (Pty) LTD

ROLE IMPACT

• The Head of Legal serves as the principal legal advisor to the Agriculture and Mining, Oil & Services (MOS) businesses, providing strategic legal leadership, governance oversight and commercially focused legal support across both divisions.
• Reporting functionally to the Executive: Governance and operationally to the Managing Directors of Agriculture and MOS, the role ensures alignment between business objectives, legal requirements, governance standards and risk management frameworks.
• The incumbent is accountable for safeguarding the legal, regulatory, governance and commercial interests of the organisation through the provision of strategic legal counsel, legal risk management, corporate governance oversight, regulatory compliance, commercial contracting, litigation management, intellectual property protection, mergers and acquisitions support, and management of external legal counsel. The role partners closely with Executive Leadership and divisional leadership teams to support sustainable growth while maintaining the highest standards of legal integrity, governance and ethical conduct.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and implement the legal strategy in support of the Agriculture and MOS business strategies.
• Provide strategic legal counsel to the Executive: Governance, Managing Directors and Executive Leadership Teams.
• Lead and manage the Legal function to ensure efficient and effective legal service delivery.
• Develop legal policies, standards and frameworks that support business objectives and governance requirements.
• Build legal capability across the business and promote a culture of ethical conduct and legal compliance.
• Manage and develop legal team members, ensuring high performance and continuous professional development.

Corporate Governance

• Support and promote sound corporate governance practices across the business.
• Ensure compliance with the Companies Act, King V principles and other applicable governance frameworks.
• Provide legal guidance regarding fiduciary responsibilities and governance obligations.
• Advise management on governance risks and emerging regulatory developments.
• Support Board, Committee and Executive governance requirements where required.
• Ensure governance policies, delegations of authority and legal frameworks remain current and effective.

Legal Advisory Services

• Provide specialist legal advice on complex commercial, strategic and operational matters.
• Support business leaders with informed legal guidance to facilitate effective decision-making.
• Advise on local and international legal matters affecting business operations.
• Provide legal guidance relating to business expansion, restructuring and strategic initiatives.
• Interpret legislation and assess legal implications arising from business decisions.

Commercial Contracting

• Oversee the drafting, review, negotiation and execution of complex commercial agreements.
• Ensure all legal agreements adequately protect the organisation's legal and commercial interests.
• Develop and maintain contractual standards, templates and review processes.
• Advise stakeholders on contractual obligations, rights, liabilities and risk exposure.
• Support major commercial negotiations and strategic supplier or customer engagements.

Risk Management

• Develop and maintain legal risk management frameworks and controls.
• Identify, assess and mitigate legal and regulatory risks across the business.
• Monitor emerging legal and regulatory developments that may impact operations.
• Provide recommendations to Executive Management on material legal risks and mitigation plans.
• Ensure legal risks are appropriately reported and escalated.

Regulatory Compliance

• Oversee legal and regulatory compliance activities across Agriculture and MOS.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and industry standards.
• Support interactions with regulators and government authorities.
• Monitor regulatory developments and provide proactive guidance to the business.
• Assist management with compliance investigations and regulatory matters.

Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Transactions

• Lead legal due diligence activities on acquisitions, disposals and strategic investments.
• Identify and assess transaction-related legal risks and mitigation strategies.
• Draft, review and negotiate transaction documentation.
• Partner with financial advisors, consultants and external legal counsel during transactions.
• Support integration activities from a legal and governance perspective.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

• Oversee the management of litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution matters.
• Develop strategies to manage and minimise legal exposure.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and specialist advisors.
• Oversee legal budgets associated with disputes and litigation.
• Ensure lessons learned from disputes are incorporated into business processes.

Intellectual Property Management

• Oversee the protection and management of intellectual property assets.
• Advise on patents, trademarks, copyrights and proprietary technologies.
• Ensure IP registrations and renewals are appropriately managed.
• Support innovation and research initiatives from a legal perspective.

Stakeholder Management and Business Partnership

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Executive: Governance, MD Agriculture and MD MOS.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders across the organisation.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to support strategic and operational objectives.
• Influence business decisions through commercially sound legal advice.
• Balance legal risk management with business growth objectives.

External Counsel and Legal Service Provider Management

• Appoint, manage and evaluate external legal service providers.
• Ensure legal matters are handled cost-effectively and efficiently.
• Negotiate fee structures and manage legal expenditure.
• Monitor performance of external legal advisors and law firms.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

Essential:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or related field.
• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.

Preferred:

Postgraduate qualification in:

• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Commercial Law
• Corporate Law
• Governance
• Compliance
• Business Management

Experience

Essential:

• Minimum 10-15 years of legal qualification experience.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior legal leadership role.
• Extensive experience in:
• Commercial Law
• Corporate Governance
• Contract Negotiation
• Regulatory Compliance
• Litigation Management
• Legal Risk Management
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Stakeholder Management at Executive level.

Advantageous:

• JSE-listed environment experience.
• Agriculture, mining, chemicals or manufacturing sector experience.
• Multi-jurisdictional African legal exposure.
• Experience supporting Boards, Exco and Governance Committees.

Key Competencies

• High levels of integrity, judgement, and discretion
• Resilient, composed, and credible under pressure
• Sound judgement and decision making
• Risk Management and Commercial Judgement
• Executive Influence
• Strategic Leadership
• Corporate Governance Expertise
• Commercial Acumen
• Leading Through Influence
• Courageous Decision-Making
• Change Leadership
• Proven negotiation skills
• Strong leadership and organisational skills
• Excellent communication and people skills
• Leadership and management skills
• Stakeholder relationship management skills
• Strategy and innovation
• Presentation Skills