General Counsel

SUMMARY:
POSITION: GENERAL COUNSEL    

POSITION INFO:
Role Summary:
 
To determine the strategy for the Legal Department and the Human Capital Department. Provide input into strategic direction of the OUR CLIENT and its Subsidiaries as well provide leadership in the development for the continuous evaluation of short and long-term strategic objectives.

The General Counsel plays a significant role in developing relationships with key external third parties and assisting with raising third party funds for the organisation. Work with departmental leadership and key stakeholders across the business in overseeing and ensuring legal compliance across the business, maintaining the business’s integrity both internally and externally (reputational risk).
 
Outputs:
 
Legal Department 
Oversee the provision of high-quality legal counsel to fund management division and to other support departments
Ensure turnaround times from approval to disbursement are met 
Manage clients in litigation and maximise collections from litigation and collection processes. 
Manage the legal budget and maximise impact from expenditure
Operational Support  
To fulfil the role of Chairperson on internal committees as decided in terms of the Delegation of Authority Matrix
Ensure that legal support is provided to the portfolio departments
Act as an expert in providing guidance and support with restructures and turnarounds
To be an expert and well acquainted with various laws including BBBEE laws, FAIS, FICA and the PFMA
assist in management and monitoring of distressed clients working with relevant divisions
Develop portfolio reporting framework for litigation matters and report to the relevant forums
Oversee legal compliance matters and provide guidance to the legal compliance team
Assist the Marketing and Communications department with approval of assigned matters
To be abreast of relevant legal developments and ensure that all relevant developments affecting OUR CLIENT as brought to the attention of the Executive Committee and other relevant structures 
Human Capital Department 
Oversee the management of the Human Capital Department
Develop/update the Human Capital Strategy
Ensure that the Human Capital strategy is aligned to the organisation’s strategy
Ensure that the Human Capital department provides an enabling environment for employees
Champion the employee needs at a strategic level 
Responsible to ensure that the organisation is optimally resourced subject to available resources
Oversee the activities of the Human Capital and Remuneration Committee 
Oversee that there are up to date processes to manage performance and disciplinary matters and oversee all matters which fall within those aspects
Executive Role
The General Counsel is a member of the Executive Committee and must participate competently on all activities involving the Executive
Invitee to Board meetings and board subcommittee meetings
The incumbent must establish a working relationship with the DTIC CFO and GCFO as well as other key DFI stakeholders
Perform tasks as assigned by the CEO
People Management
Performance contracts of all divisional staff by deadline 
Conduct performance reviews of all staff based on timelines
Provide leadership to the division
Ensure optimal and strategic resourcing including proper succession planning.
Ad Hoc

• Deal with complaints and parliamentary queries/ assist in responding to queries
• Resolve all audit findings for units timeously

1. Minimum 10 years relevant experience
2. Experience in successfully handling commercial law matters, litigation matters, human resources matter, compliance and regulatory matters
3. High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation
4. Ability to strategize and solve problems
5. Strong leadership and organizational skills
6. Proven and successful experience creating departmental priorities that align strategic direction of the legal department and the overall business objectives 
7. Successful experience leading negotiations on complex, high value, contracts, and agreemen

• LLB Degree or relevant degree
• Master’s degree an advantage
• Admitted attorney

• Ability to manage stakeholders
• Able to work under pressure
• Understanding of and ability to follow procedures 
• Able to challenge matters if there are concerns with regulatory or policy issues 
• Able to interrogate information and raise/escalate for further attention where necessary

• Excellence/ Quality Orientation
• Ethical Judgement
• Resilience and Stress Management
• Drive and Results Orientation
• Time and Self-Management  
• Self-starter and independent worker
• Visibility in office environment
• Agility and able to assume additional responsibilities

• Building Relationships
• Interpersonal Agility
• Teamwork