Principal Consultant: Legal

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and advise on the legal aspects of complex M&A and Business Development transactions.
• Draft, negotiate and finalise sophisticated transaction and commercial agreements.
• Lead legal due diligence across prospective acquisitions, investments and strategic opportunities.
• Advise on acquisitions, joint ventures, divestments, restructurings, mergers and fundraising transactions.
• Develop contractual frameworks that appropriately manage legal and commercial risk.
• Provide legal advice across South African and international jurisdictions.
• Support senior stakeholders during transaction negotiations.
• Monitor regulatory developments and advise on their impact on transactions and commercial initiatives.
• Manage legal and contractual obligations following transaction completion.
• Coordinate and oversee external legal counsel where required.
• Engage confidently with senior executive and governance stakeholders.

Minimum Requirements

• A minimum 4-year academic qualification with Honours.
• LLB or equivalent legal qualification preferred.
• Admission as an Attorney.
• MBA or relevant Master's qualification advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years' senior management experience.
• At least 3 years' dedicated M&A legal experience gained within a reputable local or international law firm.
• Demonstrable experience negotiating and drafting highly complex transaction documents.
• Strong exposure to M&A and equity capital markets transactions.
• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions, cultures and geographies.
• Ability to engage, influence and present confidently at executive level.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional legal drafting and negotiation skills. • Strong commercial and financial acumen. • Advanced analytical and problem-solving capability. • Excellent stakeholder management. • Strategic thinking and sound judgement. • Strong project management capability. • Clear and persuasive written and verbal communication. • Ability to operate effectively in complex, fast-moving transaction environments. • Strong relationship-building and influencing skills. The successful candidate will be a commercially minded legal professional who can move comfortably between the technical detail of a transaction and the broader strategic objectives behind it.