Legal Advisor at Robert Walters

About:

• Acting as a key point of contact for legal and risk-related queries, the Legal Advisor will work closely with operations and senior management to ensure legal frameworks and regulatory obligations are properly integrated into business processes.
• The role includes involvement in complex transactional work, oversight of contractual documentation, and contribution to risk mitigation efforts.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advising on legal issues affecting the group’s investment management and stockbroking activities
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of agreements, including those related to structured finance, derivatives, institutional mandates and brokerage
• Supporting the implementation and maintenance of governance policies and contract management procedures across the group
• Working with internal audit and risk functions to embed effective risk controls
• Delivering internal training on legal, compliance and risk topics to teams across jurisdictions
• Monitoring changes in legislation and regulation, and updating internal policies accordingly
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders on complex legal matters, including counterparty negotiations
• Managing external counsel relationships in a cost-conscious and quality-focused manner
• Preparing reports and briefings for senior leadership and board committees on legal and risk developments

Candidate profile:

• Strong legal experience in the financial services sector, particularly in asset management or stockbroking, will be essential.
• A detailed understanding of South African regulatory frameworks, along with familiarity with international standards relevant to investment firms, is expected.
• A pragmatic approach to legal problem-solving, combined with sound judgement and the ability to work effectively across departments will be key.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Admitted attorney (South Africa), with 3 - 6 years’ post-qualification experience
• Demonstrated experience advising on risk and compliance matters within a regulated financial environment
• Technical understanding of applicable legislation, including CISCA, FAIS, COFI, Companies Act, POPIA, GDPR, FMA, EMIR, MiFID, and OTC derivatives
• Working knowledge of JSE rules as they apply to stockbroking operations
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, with the ability to present complex issues clearly to non-legal audiences
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent time management, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Professional integrity and discretion, particularly when handling sensitive or confidential information
• Awareness of the broader commercial and regulatory context in which financial services operate