Legal Counsel

The Legal Counsel will provide strategic, specialised legal and commercial advice to senior stakeholders. This pivotal role encompasses managing daily legal matters, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, ensuring regulatory compliance, mitigating operational risks, and overseeing corporate governance to support the companys objectives. A primary focus is to reduce legal and operational risks across the entire cash value chain.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Contract Negotiation & Management: Draught and negotiate high-value commercial agreements with banks, retailers and suppliers, including specialised Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and liability clauses on behalf of the Group.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all operations comply with national financial regulations, including the National Payment System (NPS) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) / Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.
• Risk & Security Management: Collaborate with risk and operational teams to minimise financial exposure, safeguard cash assets, and ensure compliance with security legislation, including firearms and private security laws.
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Manage claims relating to lost, damaged or stolen assets; liaise with external legal counsel and coordinate insurance or liability disputes.
• Provide support on additional legal matters, including company handovers for non-payment, motor vehicle accident (MVA) claims and related issues.
• Corporate Governance & Employment Law: Advise executive leadership on corporate matters and labour relations, ensuring compliance within a demanding operational environment.
• Corporate Secretarial Duties: Maintain company records, prepare board resolutions and ensure adherence to governance codes.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Education: Matric / Grade 12, LLB degree or equivalent qualification.
• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate is essential.
• Experience: A minimum of five years in-house or top-tier law firm experience, preferably with strong exposure to banking law, financial services or corporate/commercial litigation.
• Specialist Knowledge: Familiarity with National Payment System directives, risk mitigation, and security legislation.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, resilience under pressure, and strong commercial awareness.

Competencies and Skills

• Corporate & Commercial Law: Proficient in drafting and negotiating high-value vendor contracts, SLAs with major retailers and banks, and procurement documentation.
• Regulatory Compliance & Licencing: Comprehensive understanding of banking regulations, AML statutes and regional licencing requirements (e.g. South African Reserve Bank [SARB] directives or equivalent national authorities).
• Risk Management & Insurance: Experienced in structuring indemnity agreements and managing insurance policies covering in-transit losses and liabilities.
• Corporate Governance: Advising the board on fiduciary duties, maintaining statutory registers and ensuring compliance with King IV & V governance principles.
• Employment Law: Skilled in union negotiations, managing industrial action, drafting employment contracts and handling disciplinary procedures for a high-risk workforce, including guards, drivers and vault personnel.

Essential Skills

• Crisis Management.
• Litigation Strategy.
• Security & Vendor Assessment.
• Cross-Border Legal Expertise.