Legal Counsel: Intellectual Property at Absa Group

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

16 Aug, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

18 May, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Intellectual Property Law, Commercial Contracts, Legal Risk Management, Contract Drafting, Contract Negotiation, Regulatory Compliance, Legal Vetting, Stakeholder Management, Analytical Skills, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Governance

Industry

Financial Services

Description

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time. With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group. Job Summary To provide sound legal advice and support in area of specialization enabling the provision of legal risk management for the business and to fulfil the role as an integral member of the Group Legal Function. Job Description Overall Job Description The prospective candidate should have the requisite legal qualification and between three (3) – five (5) years post admission experience as well as being an admitted attorney of the high court. Experience in matters of a commercial and contractual nature will be valuable including the drafting, negotiating and reviewing and vetting of various types of agreements and contracts as this will be required across the Group and various international jurisdictions. Exposure to various bodies of legislation across an array of jurisdictions including local, regional and international legislation and providing advice across the geographical footprint and various business areas of the Group in respect of such legislation. Previous experience and exposure to Intellectual Property matters will be advantageous as well exposure to commercial, financial and regulatory matters and various types of entities in the private and public sector which the Group may engage and contract with. To develop tactical strategy and delivery plans, formulate associated practice/s and to ensure operational implementation and adoption in terms of legal methodology, governance and delivery objectives. To provide highly specialised legal advice and support to the dedicated area of support and across AGL as may be required. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Accountability: Leadership & Management · Demonstrates strong relationship management skills with clients · Plan and manage projects and matters through to completion, including around resourcing with the requisite support and supervision · Contribute to the development and implementation of team objectives and strategy and provide high quality support to the business as required by interacting with different legal and business stakeholders. · Work independently on matters although supervision and support will be required as and where appropriate. Accountability: Commercial · Demonstrate strong analytical skills and solve complex problems creatively and effectively · Drives good cost control behaviour, especially around external spend, consistently delivers against a broad range of competing target · Manage invoicing and reporting in respect of external spend as part of internal and external stakeholder relationships · Drive innovation and development of digital capabilities where required · Add value in commercial transactions as well as technical discussions and assist in training provided by the Team that is beneficial / informative to internal stakeholders. Accountability: Risk and Control: · Actively raise the profile of the Legal function and improve on Legal Key Risk management and awareness by embedding legal policies and control requirements in all areas of the business. · Engage in productive and robust debate in the faces of challenges, although support and supervision will be provided in such instances. · Risk and Control: Build strong risk partnerships with colleagues in other functions (especially key control areas) to entrench legal policies and control requirements · Fully understands the role of Legal in AGL and how it interacts with other functions and the business units across AGL. Accountability: Teamwork: · Proactively collaborates across different teams and geographies within Legal to break down silos · Provide objective and constructive feedback and openly shares knowledge and expertise Accountability: Technical · Acts as a trusted adviser to business and other infrastructure areas, and understands market and legal developments and their impact on business · Contribute to industry-wide initiatives and have a good network amongst peer group externally · Support will be provided to enable the development of relationships with internal and external stakeholders, but it will be the responsibility of the candidate to foster such relationships. Minimum Qualification Requirements Admitted Attorney specializing in Intellectual Property and Commercial Contracts (Required); Three 3 to 5 years post qualification experience (PQE Required); Experience working in a Financial Institution (Preferred). Education Bachelor Honours Degree: Law, Military Science and Security (Required) Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank. Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised At Absa, our story is not a single narrative. It’s thousands of individual journeys unfolding across Africa and beyond. From colleagues serving customers in local communities to teams shaping financial solutions across borders, Absa is built on people who bring their lived experiences, ambitions and perspectives into the workplace every day. Whether you’re starting your career, a seasoned leader or somewhere in between, your contribution is seen, valued and connected to something bigger. Our presence across Africa – which spans personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management, and insurance – exists because of the people who show up in their roles with purpose. Across Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, our colleagues are shaping what Absa becomes in each market. Beyond the continent, teams in global offices and a technology hub support and extend the stories that prove that African talent can lead, influence and innovate on the global stage. At Absa, your story matters because progress is driven by human experience, not hierarchy. When people are enabled to bring their whole selves to work, they don’t just build careers. They help shape the future of Africa’s financial services landscape.

Responsibilities

Provide specialized legal advice and risk management focusing on intellectual property and commercial contracts across various jurisdictions. Develop tactical strategies and delivery plans to ensure operational implementation of legal methodology and governance.