Legal Contracts Negotiation Specialist- GM at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• The Contract Negotiations Specialist at Assistant Vice Principal grade will be responsible for leading, managing, and overseeing the negotiation of complex global markets contracts and agreements within the corporate and investment banking environment across the African continent.
• This role requires a seasoned legal professional with significant expertise in contract law, negotiation strategies, and risk management.
• The successful candidate will provide high-level legal support in negotiating agreements, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and contributing to the legal strategy and operations of the bank.

Job Description

Contract Negotiation:

• Manage high-value, complex contract negotiations with clients, counterparties, and stakeholders.
• Ensure contract terms are consistent with the bank's strategic objectives, risk appetite, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide legal advice on negotiation strategies, dispute resolution, and managing high-stakes negotiations.
• Collaborate with internal business units (e.g., corporate finance, investment banking, treasury) to align negotiation strategies with business goals.
• Prepare and review complex legal agreements, including loan agreements, financing contracts, mergers & acquisitions, and other commercial contracts.

Legal Risk Management:

• Assess and mitigate legal risks in contracts and transactions, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations across multiple jurisdictions in Africa.
• Advise senior management on potential risks associated with contracts and recommend strategies to manage or resolve risks.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for the negotiation and execution of contracts within the bank.

Internal Collaboration:

• Collaborate closely with other members of the legal team to ensure consistent and effective legal support across various business units.
• Provide training and guidance to junior legal professionals and business teams on best practices in contract negotiations and legal risk management.

Contract Drafting and Review:

• Draft, review, and amend contracts to ensure clarity, completeness, and compliance with relevant regulations.
• Lead contract reviews to ensure all terms are commercially viable and aligned with the bank’s strategic objectives.
• Prepare summaries of key contractual terms and conditions for senior management and relevant stakeholders.

Stakeholder Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including senior executives, business leaders, clients, and external legal advisors.
• Negotiate contract terms with external parties, ensuring alignment with the bank’s policies and risk appetite.

Dispute Resolution:

• Act as a key resource for resolving contract disputes, providing legal strategies for effective dispute management and resolution.
• Represent the bank in legal proceedings when necessary, managing any litigation arising from contracts.

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight:

• Stay abreast of developments in legal regulations affecting banking and finance across the African continent, ensuring compliance with local and international standards.
• Ensure the bank's contracts comply with all applicable banking regulations, including those set by financial regulatory authorities in various African jurisdiction

Preferred Education:

• LLB or equivalent legal qualification (admission to practice law in South Africa or relevant jurisdiction required).
• A post-graduate qualification (LLM, MBA, or similar) will be an added advantage.

Preferred Experience:

• At least 3-5 years of experience as a legal practitioner, with a focus on global market contract negotiations, within a corporate, banking, or financial services environment.
• Experience in managing complex contract negotiations in a pan-African or international context.
• Expertise in Document Drafting and Review with an eye for precision and clarity.
• Experience within the CIB environment.

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)

End Date: August 2, 2025