Legal Counsel/RBB Credit & Pricing - Johannesburg at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• We are looking for a dynamic and commercially minded Legal Counsel to provide strategic legal advice and support across a wide range of legal, regulatory, and commercial matters. This role requires a versatile, business-oriented legal professional capable of delivering holistic legal risk management, supporting business initiatives, and contributing to broader organisational goals through cross-functional collaboration.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Legal Risk Management

• Proactively engage with internal stakeholders to anticipate legal and regulatory risks and provide practical, business-aligned legal solutions.
• Deliver commercially and legally sound advice that balances compliance with business imperatives, focusing on enabling business continuity and innovation within the boundaries of applicable laws and regulations.

Commercial Legal Support

• Provide end-to-end legal support on commercial transactions, including structuring, negotiating, and drafting a variety of legal agreements.
• Deliver clear, actionable recommendations on the legality, enforceability, and commercial implications of contractual arrangements.
• Develop a deep understanding of the business, products, services, and strategies to ensure legal advice is tailored and adds strategic value.

Risk and Controls

• Apply sound legal judgment in identifying and managing legal risks, drawing on previous experience and best practices.
• Understand the interplay between legal risks and other risk disciplines, collaborating with colleagues across functions (e.g., compliance, risk, finance) to address potential issues holistically.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Management

• Build strong, trusted relationships with internal stakeholders across business, legal, compliance, and operations teams.
• Participate in cross-functional working groups and contribute to legal awareness, capability-building, and knowledge sharing within the business.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Support the development and implementation of legal processes, templates, and best practice guides to improve efficiency and consistency in legal support.
• Stay abreast of legal and regulatory developments and translate these into practical implications and proactive actions for the business.

Technical Legal Expertise

• Provide specialised legal support in key areas such as banking law, regulatory compliance, corporate/commercial law, or financial services, while maintaining the flexibility to handle a wide range of legal issues in support of business initiatives.
• Review, draft, and advise on legal documentation with precision and clarity, ensuring it aligns with both legal requirements and commercial objectives.

Minimum Requirements

• LLB degree.
• Admitted attorney with 4–6 years post-articles experience.
• Solid working knowledge of banking law, financial services regulation, and commercial contracting.
• Strong understanding of banking products, financial instruments, and related legal frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Education

• Bachelor Honours Degree: Law, Military Science and Security (Required)

End Date: September 5, 2025