Head of Legal (Investment Director) – Infrastructure Investment

Johannesburg, South AfricaFull-timeExecutiveOn-sitePosted 3 Nov 2026

Job Overview

Fides Recruitment is recruiting a Head of Legal (Investment Director) in Sandhurst, Sandton, for an organisation investing in infrastructure across Africa (CareerJunction 2646831; permanent senior position; posted 2 November 2026; advert valid to 6 December 2026; advertised R150,000–R170,000 per month). The incumbent combines deep legal expertise with strong commercial acumen and investment judgement to drive transaction execution, optimise risk-adjusted returns and protect investor interests.

The role sits on transaction teams for complex infrastructure, energy, digital infrastructure, transport and social infrastructure investments, leads legal workstreams on multi-jurisdictional African deals, advises Boards and Investment Committees, oversees governance and legal matters across portfolio companies through to exit, and builds the organisation’s legal capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal leadership on transaction teams for infrastructure, energy, digital, transport and social infrastructure investments

• Contribute to investment strategy, portfolio construction, capital allocation, screening and deal approval

• Lead legal workstreams and structure high-value cross-border transactions for optimal commercial, legal, tax and governance outcomes

• Lead negotiations with sponsors, lenders, governments, DFIs and strategic investors

• Advise Boards, Board Committees and Investment Committees on legal risk, fiduciary duties and regulatory developments

• Oversee governance frameworks and legal matters across portfolio companies, restructurings, refinancings and exits

• Manage disputes, claims and litigation strategy; manage external counsel across jurisdictions

• Mentor legal managers and investment professionals; establish legal best-practice frameworks and transaction standards

Required Qualifications

• LLB (required); admitted Attorney, Advocate or equivalent

• Postgraduate qualification (LLM, Finance, Corporate Law, Infrastructure Finance or related)

• 10–15 years’ post-admission legal experience

• 8+ years leading complex infrastructure, private equity, project finance, M&A or structured finance transactions

• Proven multi-jurisdictional African transaction experience from origination through exit

• Experience presenting to Investment Committees, Boards and Executive Committees and leading multidisciplinary teams

Skills & Requirements

Infrastructure InvestmentProject FinancePrivate EquityM&AStructured FinanceTransaction StructuringCross-Border NegotiationCorporate GovernanceBoard AdvisoryPortfolio OversightDispute ResolutionExternal Counsel ManagementLegal Leadership