Senior Legal Advisor III

Job Description

Hello Future Legal Advisor

Welcome to Direct Axis, the home of the #changeables. We design for the shapeshifters and deliver products and services that make us incredibly proud of the people that make it happen. As part of our talent team, you will be surrounded by unique talents, diverse minds, and an adaptable environment that lives up to the promise of staying curious. Now's the time to imagine your potential in a team where experts come together and ignite effective change.

DirectAxis is more than just a financial services provider—it's a dynamic, purpose-driven brand that's redefining what it means to make a difference in people's financial lives. As a household name in money solutions, DirectAxis stands out for its down-to-earth personality, reputation for simplicity, and genuine customer empathy.

Our culture is built on belonging, authenticity, and courage. We value curiosity, trust, and the power of diverse perspectives. At DirectAxis, you'll find an environment that encourages experimentation, rapid learning, and innovation—without losing sight of what matters most: helping everyday people make their plans a reality.

With a renewed focus on purpose, process, and people, DirectAxis is investing in cutting-edge technology, expanding its product offerings, and building a high performing, connected culture. If you're looking for a place where your work has real impact, where you can grow, and where you'll be empowered to challenge the status quo, DirectAxis is the place to be.

Join a dynamic, fast-paced in-house risk team at DABU (DirectAxis Business Unit). As Senior Legal Advisor, you will be a key partner to business, providing expert legal advice and hands-on legal support with a key focus on contract drafting, negotiation, credit and privacy law guidance.

To provide legal solutions to complex legal and business challenges to mitigate against legal risk and partner with the business on the implementation of policies to comply with legal and regulatory requirements and business processes.

Are you someone who can:

Contracting

• Proficiency in contract drafting, negotiation, intellectual property, data protection, and commercial structuring across different relationship models.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including but not limited to IT contracts, strategic partnerships, outsourcing arrangements, sponsorships.
• Develop and maintain bespoke contract templates and playbooks for third-party agreements.
• Collaborate with Procurement Legal and business stakeholders to ensure contracts are fit-for-purpose, enforceable, and aligned with business objectives.
• Support contract lifecycle management and record keeping.
• Advise on delegations of authority, internal SLAs, and campaign/competition rules.

Credit and Collections Law (National Credit Act)

• Provide expert guidance on credit and collections law topics and draft legal opinions.
• Support business and compliance teams with risk assessments related to credit granting and debt recovery, including affordability checks, compliance with section 129 notices, and adherence to in duplum interest limitations.
• Monitor and interpret emerging credit legislation, regulatory updates, and industry best practices to ensure alignment with the National Credit Act and related frameworks.

Privacy Law

• Provide expert guidance on privacy law related topics and draft legal opinions.
• Support business and compliance teams with privacy-related risk assessments including Legitimate Interest Assessments (LIA), Compatibility Assessments (CA), Privacy by Design, and Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA).
• Monitor and interpret emerging privacy legislation, international trends, and industry best practices.

Legal Risk Management & Advisory

• Maintenance of expert knowledge on relevant legislation industry best practices and provision of proactive advice and solutions to relevant stakeholders. Research and provide legal opinion on a variety of issues and new business projects within the business to proactively identify, assess and manage legal risk.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks across business initiatives, products, and processes (extensive collaboration with other risk partners such as compliance and operational risk).
• Prepare and present legal opinions, memos, and reports to stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development and embedding of legal risk management tools, frameworks, and reporting templates.
• Collaborate extensively with Group Legal, Segment Legal, Centres of Excellence (COEs), and subject matter experts.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with business, compliance, operational risk, and external partners.
• Act as a trusted legal partner, translating complex legal concepts into plain language and actionable advice.

You will be an ideal candidate if you have:

Experience & Qualifications

• Admitted attorney with at least 5 years' post-qualification experience (preference for financial services experience).
• Proven track record in drafting and negotiating complex contracts in a corporate or financial services environment (specialist expertise).
• The role requires deep expertise in the National Credit Act (NCA) and associated credit legislation to ensure full compliance across credit products and processes. Strong knowledge of case law, regulatory guidance, and industry best practice underpins the ability to provide authoritative advice and maintain the organization's standing as a responsible credit provider.
• Deep understanding of privacy legislation (POPIA, GDPR, etc.) and practical experience in privacy risk management.
• Experience in legal risk management, regulatory interpretation, and providing business-focused legal advice.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication and influencing skills in order to collaborate and align across legal, compliance, operational risk and business areas.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and thrive in a high-volume, high-impact environment.
• Adaptability/learning agility – to be comfortable with ambiguity, context-switching, and taking on a mix of work within the DABU space given the aggressive growth targets, and the fact that DABU owns some of its channel as well as the technology which underpins it.
• Technological proficiency (preferred).

If you are passionate about compliance and risk management and are looking to make a significant impact within a dynamic team, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

You will have access to

• Opportunities to network and collaborate
• A challenging working environment
• Opportunities to innovate

We can be a match if you are / have

• Analytical
• Adaptable and curious
• Thrive in a collaborative environment
• Conceptual and Big Picture Thinking
• Strategic Thinking

Job Details

Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.

06/12/25

All appointments will be made in line with FirstRand Group's Employment Equity plan. The Bank supports the recruitment and advancement of individuals with disabilities. In order for us to fulfill this purpose, candidates can disclose their disability information on a voluntary basis. The Bank will keep this information confidential unless we are required by law to disclose this information to other parties.