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FirstRand Bank

Banking, corporate finance, and insurance group

Legal Head

Legal Counsel & Legal SupportPosted on Nov 9
Full-timeRandburg, South AfricaNo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

  • A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is required.
  • Admission as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa is required.
  • A minimum of 10–15 years of post-admission legal experience is required.
  • Significant senior legal leadership experience within financial services is required.
  • Experience supporting Executive Committees and governance forums is required.
  • Experience in banking or financial services is required.
  • Experience advising on financial services regulation and conduct requirements is required.
  • Experience leading legal teams and managing external counsel is required.
  • Experience supporting strategic business transformation initiatives is required.
  • The role requires strategic leadership, commercial acumen, legal risk management, regulatory expertise, corporate governance, executive influence, stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills, decision-making and judgment, change leadership, people leadership and coaching, and strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Candidates must be admitted attorneys of the High Court of South Africa.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute the legal strategy in support of business and Group objectives.
  • Act as a strategic advisor to Executive Management and business leadership teams.
  • Participate in strategic decision-making by identifying legal risks, opportunities and regulatory implications.
  • Influence business strategy through commercially sound and pragmatic legal advice.
  • Support growth initiatives, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, operating model changes and transformation programmes.
  • Drive a proactive legal partnership model that enables business performance while maintaining sound legal governance.
  • Serve as the principal legal advisor to Executive Committees and senior leadership.
  • Provide proactive legal support on strategic initiatives, product development, digital innovation and distribution strategies.
  • Interpret complex legislation and regulatory requirements and translate them into practical business solutions.
  • Prepare legal opinions and legal guidance notes for Executive and Board decision-making.
  • Advise on emerging legal and regulatory developments impacting the business.
  • Develop and maintain the legal risk framework for business areas within scope.
  • Identify, assess and monitor legal risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
  • Provide oversight of material legal risk exposures and escalation processes.
  • Report significant legal matters through appropriate governance structures.
  • Support the enterprise-wide risk management framework through effective legal risk management practices.
  • Promote legal risk awareness and accountability throughout the organisation.
  • Provide legal advice, guidance and interpretation relating to applicable legislation and regulatory frameworks, including the Deeds Registries Act, Alienation of Land Act, Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act, Home Loan and Mortgage Disclosure Act, Pension Funds Act, Financial Markets Act, Protection of Personal Information Act, Consumer Protection Act, National Credit Act, Companies Act, Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, Financial Sector Regulation Act, Prevention of Organised Crime Act, Currency and Exchanges Act, Long Term Insurance Act, Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, Financial Intelligence Centre Act, Conduct Standards for Banks, Conduct of Financial Institutions, Competition Act, Common Reporting Standard, Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, Prudential Standards and FSCA Conduct Standards.
  • Provide legal oversight relating to customer outcomes and market conduct requirements.
  • Support the integration of Treating Customers Fairly principles across business activities.
  • Advise on the legal implications of customer propositions, advice processes and product design.
  • Review customer journeys, disclosures and communications to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
  • Support conduct risk management and remediation initiatives.
  • Promote positive customer outcomes through legally sound and customer-centric practices.
  • Provide legal support relating to client acquisition and servicing strategies, product development and innovation initiatives, technology and digital platforms, collections strategies, and perfection of immovable and movable security.
  • Provide legal oversight and support for outsourcing arrangements, strategic partnership agreements, commercial and procurement contracts, service level agreements, supplier contracts and confidentiality agreements.
  • Draft, review, negotiate and approve contracts; standardise legal templates; and manage contractual and commercial legal risk.
  • Ensure effective legal governance frameworks across the business.
  • Support Executive Committees and governance forums on legal matters.
  • Review and maintain legal governance standards and delegated authorities.
  • Support policy development and governance enhancements.
  • Ensure compliance with governance obligations and corporate governance best practice.
  • Provide legal input into governance committee decision-making.
  • Act as a key legal contact for regulatory authorities.
  • Support regulatory engagements, inspections and inquiries.
  • Manage legal aspects of regulatory interactions and submissions.
  • Provide legal support during regulatory investigations and enforcement actions.
  • Build and maintain constructive relationships with relevant regulators and industry bodies, including the National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa, Information Regulator and Competition Commission.
  • Manage litigation, disputes, complaints and legal recoveries.
  • Oversee external legal counsel and litigation strategy.
  • Support Ombud and regulatory matters.
  • Manage legal costs and litigation expenditure.
  • Drive timely resolution of legal disputes.
  • Protect the organisation from legal and reputational risk.
  • Lead legal interpretation and implementation of regulatory reforms.
  • Assess the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the business.
  • Support large-scale change and transformation programmes.
  • Advise on legal considerations relating to new operating models and digital transformation.
  • Drive legal readiness for regulatory change initiatives.
  • Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing legal team.
  • Build legal capability aligned to future business requirements.
  • Drive succession planning, talent management and employee development.
  • Coach and mentor legal professionals.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
  • Promote diversity, inclusion and transformation objectives.
  • Manage team performance and employee engagement.
  • Manage the legal function budget.
  • Oversee external legal service provider expenditure.
  • Ensure efficient utilisation of legal resources.
  • Drive cost-effective legal service delivery.
  • Monitor legal spend and identify opportunities for optimisation.
  • Develop and maintain trusted relationships with Executive Management, Business Heads, Risk Management, Compliance, Internal Audit, Product Houses, external legal counsel, industry bodies and regulators.

Desired Qualifications

  • Postgraduate qualifications in Property Law, Commercial Law, Financial Services Law, Governance, Risk Management or a related field are preferred.
  • A Leadership or Executive Development qualification is advantageous.

About the Company

FirstRand Bank

Banking, corporate finance, and insurance group

FirstRand Bank is a large South African financial services group that combines three main divisions: FNB, RMB, and Momentum. FNB handles retail and commercial banking, RMB focuses on corporate and investment banking, and Momentum provides insurance. The company’s product lineup spans everyday banking and lending for individuals, corporate and investment banking services for businesses, and life and other insurance products. It differentiates itself by operating as a confederation of specialized divisions under one group, allowing each unit to focus on its core strengths while sharing the group’s financial backing. The goal is to deliver a broad, integrated set of financial services for retail customers, businesses, and insurers across the country and beyond.

Company size
1,001-5,000
Company stage
IPO
Headquarters
Johannesburg, South Africa
Founded
1838

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