Legal Counsel (Institutional) at Momentum Metropolitan Holdings Limited

Role Purpose

• The successful candidate will provide business-focused legal advice and contract support primarily to the institutional businesses within Momentum Investments.
• This role requires knowledge of the South African financial services regulatory landscape with a focus on asset management, including FAIS, global markets, collective investment schemes, the JSE environment, the Insurance Act and matters related to the Financial Markets Act.
• The role includes reviewing and drafting contracts, supporting compliance efforts as well as projects and keeping updated with legislative developments.

Requirements

• BCom LLB or LLB Degree.
• Admitted Attorney.
• 3–5 years of post-admission legal experience, preferably in an investment/asset management business.
• Experience of corporate law, complex transactions, alternative investments, corporate governance, global markets documentation, debt and credit instruments, operations of a CIS Manco and securitisation structures.
• Understanding of financial sector laws in South Africa such as FAIS, FICA, CISCA, Insurance Act, FMA, JSE rules and POPIA.
• Significant experience in contract drafting.
• Any postgraduate qualifications relating to capital/global markets or investment management is advantageous.

Duties & Responsibilities

Contractual support

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide array of legal documents including investment management agreements, ISDAs/GMSLAs/GMRAs, note programmes, investment mandates, service level agreements, data agreements and stockbroking agreements.
• Support the team with continuous improvements on templates.
• Ensure efficient management of contracts through the entire contract lifecycle.

Legal Risk Management

• Monitor and report on legal risks and regulatory developments.
• Identify and communicate legal risks in projects, policies, and systems.
• Support training initiatives regarding legal and regulatory updates.

Legal Advisory and Queries

• Advise internal stakeholders on legal matters, including contracting and the interpretation and implementation of legislation.
• Provide legal advice on operational processes and appropriate legal contracting structures.
• Carry out legal research and provide commercially focused legal opinions.

Product Development/Project Support

• Provide reliable legal support on the various initiatives and projects of the institutional businesses, including the launch of new portfolios, the take-on of new clients and developments due to regulatory changes
• Collaborate and communicate confidently within a multi-disciplinary project team, including portfolio managers, analysts, compliance and IT teams.

Governance and Compliance

• Work closely with regulatory compliance and risk teams to manage regulatory changes and emerging risks within the business to embed a culture of good governance.
• Assist in implementing internal controls to mitigate legal risk, including systems and policies.
• Monitor legislative developments and be able to unpack the impact on the various businesses

Competencies

• Meticulously detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Adaptability and resilience in the face of change and uncertainty.
• Exceptional legal and contract drafting skills.
• Be able to embrace and implement legal and financial technology solutions
• Strong communication, collaboration and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Professionalism, integrity and sound judgment.

Closing Date    

• 2026/06/12