Legal Advisor | Group Legal | Group Legal at Allan Gray Proprietary Limited

Job Summary

• The successful applicant will be part of the Group Legal Team, responsible for providing legal services to the business. This entails ensuring that the legal and regulatory business needs are satisfied by providing legal expertise and support for all legal and legal-related matters, as well as for certain regulatory compliance-related matters and company secretarial matters.  

You will, inter alia:

• be responsible for assisting or handling a variety of legal matters and projects; act as counsel on issues involving company compliance with governmental and regulatory standards; review legal documentation and provide advice on appropriate action; coordinate and/or oversee legal matters requiring external legal assistance; interact with regulators, industry bodies and other external stakeholders; cultivate constructive relationships that result in stakeholders proactively seeking Group Legal involvement; and on top of all this, contribute meaningfully towards ensuring that the business functions well for our clients.

You may: 

• participate in consultative and lobbying efforts and structures regarding legislative and regulatory developments; participate in corporate affairs and corporate governance related matters; provide work leadership and mentoring to less experienced attorneys, as well as functional advice and training.

Job Responsibilities
You will be required to:

• Provide legal input & opinions when agreements are being negotiated and vetting agreements drafted by other parties and commenting thereon
• Draft and review a wide array of agreements, primarily of a financial services related nature such as retail distribution and service level agreements, e.g. with third party management companies, fund managers and     LISPs; institutional client agreements, e.g. Portfolio Management Agreements; various 3rd party service provider agreements across the business
• Advise on ad hoc legal issues
• Furnish legal opinions and advice concerning the company and its clients, such as in relation to contract and legislation interpretation.
• Advise management, employees and clients on all legal matters 
• Advise the Investment Team regarding various matters, such as corporate actions/transactions, ‘inside information’ matters, Companies Act and Listings Requirement issues 
• Have/quickly obtain a sound working knowledge and effectively deal with issues arising under the legislation mentioned above
• Perform regulatory lobbying - this includes to assist in commenting on new and draft legislation, including impact analyses
• Represent the company at relevant industry workshops/working groups with regard to legislative developments
• Engage with counterparties in our ex-SA offices
• Provide input on various policies
• Advise and assist in regard to client mandates, applicable legislation and internal rules, processes and policies
• Advise on permissible investments
• Assist in further developing, promoting, implementing and maintaining standards and procedures that enable employees to act in an appropriate manner 
• Advise Company Secretary on internal corporate related matters
• Record-keep
• Contribute towards the effective administration of the department
• Assist with internal training and education as may be required – this includes work leadership and mentoring to other attorneys
• Assist with the completion of statutory returns
• Assist with and conduct the rolling out Group Legal policies 
• Assist with the preparation of reports

Knowledge and Experience
Required:

• 3-5 years PQE practical legal experience i.e. excluding articles – candidates with less than this experience may be considered at our discretion 
• Experience in negotiating, drafting and process management of commercial transactions and agreements

Advantageous 

• Strong proficiency within the financial services industry, asset management in particular
• Sound to excellent knowledge of financial markets
• Current and relevant knowledge of drafting financial services ‘type’ agreements and all legal aspects of a global best practise asset manager
• Working knowledge of and experience with applicable financial services legislation (including subordinate legislation), especially Financial Sector Regulation Act;  Pension Funds Act; Collective Investment Schemes Control Act; Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act; Long-Term Insurance Act; Insurance Act; Financial Intelligence Centre Act; Financial Markets Act; Requirements of the South African Reserve Bank in terms of foreign exchange control / Exchange Control Regulations and other key legislation, especially the Protection of Personal Information Act the Companies Act;  Some proficiency with comparable legislation in ex-SA territories in which the group operates
• Abreast of ongoing regulatory developments and industry trendsExperience at a financial services institution, preferably an asset manager, linked investment services provider and/or a management company 
• Strong computer literacy, especially Microsoft Office/365 (esp. Outlook, Word, Teams, Power Point, Excel etc), and ability to produce management reports.

Competencies

• Strong drafting, research, analytical, judgement, and problem-solving skills with a methodical, detail‑focused approach that ensures high‑quality, accurate outcomes.
• Highly articulate, with the ability to communicate clearly and confidently at all levels and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Well organized, deadline‑driven, and able to prioritise, multitask, and manage projects efficiently in fast‑paced environments while maintaining quality.
• Reliable, responsive, resourceful and professional, with a strong work ethic, high integrity, and consistent self‑motivation.
• Proven ability to work effectively both independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating flexibility and accountability.

Qualifications

Required:

• LLB degree (or equivalent) with completed articles
• Admitted attorney
• Very strong academics

Advantageous (Additional):

• B Com or similar