Legal Manager

Purpose of the Role:

Dis-Chem Life is on a mission to transform financial services in South Africa by putting people, integrity, and innovation at the heart of everything we do. The Legal Manager plays a pivotal role in achieving this mission by partnering with the Head of Legal and Compliance to lead the legal function, embed governance and compliance across the business, and provide strategic, commercial, and risk-based legal advice. This role ensures that all contracts, policies, and operational decisions are legally sound, commercially aligned, and fully compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements. The Legal Manager drives continuous improvement in processes, and safeguards the company's reputation, license to operate, and long-term growth. At Dis-Chem Life, this is more than a legal management role, it is a strategic leadership position with a direct impact on how the business grows, innovates, and operates confidently within the bounds of law and regulation.

Role Summary

The Legal Manager is responsible for providing practical and strategic legal guidance across contracts, regulatory compliance, governance, and dispute resolution. This position partners closely with executive leadership to embed legal insight into operational and strategic decision-making, mitigate legal and operational risks, and ensure the business operates in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

This role requires a commercially minded legal professional capable of advising on complex matters and influencing business decisions while maintaining the highest standards of legal, ethical, and regulatory compliance.

Benefits:

• Join a high-impact legal function in a fast-growing financial services business.
• Gain exposure to contracts, regulatory compliance, governance, and strategic risk management.
• Contribute to decisions that directly impact the business, customers, and reputation.
• Build a strong foundation for a senior legal leadership career with growth opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Management

• Lead review, drafting, and negotiation of commercial, service provider, and operational agreements.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and operational risks while aligning with business strategy.
• Maintain accurate contract records and monitor compliance with contractual obligations.

Company Secretarial Work

• Oversee CIPC updates, statutory registers, and company resolutions.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of annual returns and statutory amendments.
• Guarantee compliance with Companies Act and other statutory obligations.

Governance Frameworks

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of governance frameworks, internal policies, and terms of reference.
• Promote best practices in corporate governance across the business.

Litigation and Dispute Management

• Monitor, manage, and advise on litigation matters in coordination with external counsel.
• Provide strategic advice to senior management on dispute resolution and risk mitigation.

Business-Focused Legal Support

• Provide practical, business-aligned legal advice to support strategic and operational decisions.
• Partner with business leaders to embed legal considerations into projects, operations, and initiatives.

Team Leadership and Departmental Oversight

• Oversee legal research, documentation, reporting, and operational workflows.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the legal function.

Soft Skills:

• Exceptional integrity, ethics, and professional judgment.
• Analytical, detail-oriented, and highly organised.
• Strong commercial and strategic thinker.
• Adaptable, resilient, and able to perform under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work independently.
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to influence leadership decisions.
• Ownership, accountability, and proactive problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to thrive in structured and unstructured environments.

Skills and Experience:

• 3–6 years post-admission experience as an Attorney, preferably in financial services, insurance, or other regulated industries.
• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Strong knowledge of FAIS, Long-Term Insurance Act, POPIA, Companies Act, FICA, and other relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contracts and governance documentation.
• Experience managing legal risk, dispute resolution, and litigation oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic advisory to executive leadership.

Qualifications:

• LLB degree (essential).
• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa (essential).
• Regulatory or compliance certifications advantageous.