Job Purpose
The Compliance Manager and Legal Counsel is responsible for ensuring that the company operates in full compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards applicable in South Africa. This dual role involves providing legal guidance to support strategic and operational decision-making, managing legal risks, and overseeing the compliance management system.
Key Responsibilities
Compliance Management
- Implement, and maintain the company’s compliance framework in accordance with local and international regulatory requirements (e.g., FICA, POPIA, Companies Act, Competition Act, etc.).
- Monitor and interpret new and emerging legislation and regulatory changes, together with Fermel’s compliance consultants and assess the impact on the business.
- Conduct regular compliance audits, risk assessments, and internal reviews to ensure adherence to laws and policies.
- Prepare and deliver compliance training to staff across departments, together with Fermel’s compliance consultants.
- Act as the primary point of contact between Fermel and Fermel’s compliance consultants.
- Investigate and resolve compliance breaches.
Legal Counsel
- Provide legal advice and support to internal stakeholders on a wide range of matters including corporate law, commercial contracts, employment law, litigation, data protection, and IP.
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements including NDAs, supplier/customer contracts, MOUs, and service level agreements.
- Manage and coordinate external legal service providers when necessary.
- Support corporate governance activities, including Board and Committee processes, resolutions, and company secretarial duties.
- Assist in dispute resolution, litigation management, and regulatory investigations.
- Support mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions from a legal perspective.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong knowledge of South African legal and regulatory environment.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
- Strong ethical standards and integrity.
- Effective communicator with the ability to explain complex legal and compliance matters to non-legal stakeholders.
- High attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines.
- Discretion and the ability to handle confidential information.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) required; Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
- Postgraduate qualification in Compliance Management or equivalent (advantageous).
- Minimum 5–8 years’ experience in a legal and/or compliance role, preferably in a regulated industry (e.g., financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, mining, or telecommunications).
- Proven track record in designing and managing compliance programs.