Legal Advisor at L'Oréal

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisory & Support:

• Provide sound, pragmatic, and timely legal advice to all departments (e.g., Marketing, Sales, HR, Finance, Operations, IT) on a wide range of legal issues, including commercial law, consumer protection, advertising law, competition law, data privacy (POPIA), labour law, and general corporate matters.
• Interpret complex legal documents and regulations, translating them into clear, actionable advice for non-legal stakeholders.

Contract Management:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of commercial contracts, including supply agreements, service agreements, marketing agreements, distribution agreements, digital agreements, confidentiality agreements, and property-related contracts.
• Ensure all contractual arrangements protect the company's interests and comply with legal requirements.

Compliance & Risk Management:

• Monitor and advise on new and evolving South African legislation and regulatory developments relevant to the beauty industry and L'Oréal’s operations.
• Assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of compliance policies, procedures, and training programs, particularly in areas such as POPIA, competition law, anti-bribery & corruption, and consumer protection.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and compliance risks across the business.
• Conduct internal investigations as required, particularly concerning compliance breaches.

Dispute Resolution & Litigation Management:

• Assist in managing and resolving disputes, claims, and litigation, including liaising with external legal counsel, preparing briefs, and managing evidence.
• Provide advice on potential legal actions and strategies.

Intellectual Property:

• Provide support on intellectual property matters, including trademarks, copyright, and patent issues, collaborating with global IP teams and external counsel.

Corporate Governance:

• Assist with corporate secretarial duties and ensure compliance with the Companies Act, where necessary.

Training & Education

• Develop and deliver legal and compliance training sessions to employees to foster a culture of legal awareness and ethical conduct.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a reputable South African university is essential.
• Admittance: Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years post-admission experience in corporate/commercial law, either within a leading law firm or as an in-house legal counsel in a multinational company.
• Proven experience in contract drafting, negotiation, and providing legal advice across various business functions.
• Experience with South African regulatory frameworks such as the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Competition Act, and advertising regulations is highly advantageous.
• Experience in the FMCG, retail, or beauty industry will be considered a strong asset.

Skills and Competencies

• Legal Expertise: Strong understanding of South African commercial law, contract law, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance principles.
• Analytical Skills: Excellent legal research, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for detail.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Negotiation: Proven negotiation skills with a focus on achieving mutually beneficial outcomes while protecting company interests.
• Proactive & Commercial Mindset: Ability to anticipate legal risks, offer practical and business-oriented solutions, and integrate legal advice seamlessly into commercial strategies.
• Integrity & Ethics: Highest level of integrity, ethical conduct, and professional judgment.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Organization: Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Technology Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and legal research platforms.

Closing Date: 10 December 2025