Legal Manager

Johannesburg, South AfricaFull-timeSeniorOn-sitePosted 7 Oct 2026

Job Overview

Unique Personnel is recruiting a Legal Manager in Johannesburg for a client in the retirement fund and financial services environment. The role oversees legal operations end to end: managing legal risk, litigation, regulatory compliance, Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA) and FSCA complaints, contract management, governance support and stakeholder engagement. You will lead and develop the Legal function and its Legal Officers — allocating workloads, quality-assuring legal opinions and complaint responses, managing budgets and external counsel — while advising on transactions, governance, tenders and operational matters and representing the organisation at Court, Tribunal, CCMA and regulatory hearings. Requires an admitted Attorney or Advocate with an LLB, 8–12 years' post-admission experience and 3–5 years in management, plus strong knowledge of the Pension Funds Act, FAIS, FICA, POPIA, the Companies Act and King IV.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, manage and develop the Legal function and Legal Officers; manage legal budgets and external counsel costs.
Oversee PFA and FSCA complaint processes, approve responses and monitor registers, case ageing and deadlines.
Draft, review, negotiate and vet contracts, agreements and SLAs; review tender documents and policies.
Manage litigation and disputes; attend Court, Tribunal, CCMA and regulatory hearings where required.
Monitor legislative developments and ensure compliance with the Pension Funds Act, FAIS, FICA, POPIA and Companies Act.
Support regulatory inspections, governance committees and Board Committees with legal advice and reporting.
Liaise with the Principal Officer, regulators, external attorneys and industry bodies.
Conduct legal risk assessments and recommend legal strategies.

Required Qualifications

LLB; admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
Postgraduate qualification in Commercial, Corporate or Pension Fund Law advantageous.
8–12 years' post-admission legal experience and 3–5 years' management or leadership experience.
Experience managing PFA complaints and FSCA regulatory matters; financial services/retirement fund experience advantageous.
Experience in litigation, legal advisory, contract management and governance support.
Strong knowledge of the Pension Funds Act, FAIS, FICA, POPIA, Companies Act and King IV.

Skills & Requirements

Legal LeadershipPension Funds ActFSCA & PFA ComplaintsRegulatory ComplianceLitigation ManagementContract Drafting & NegotiationCorporate Governance (King IV)FAIS / FICA / POPIALegal Risk AssessmentExternal Counsel ManagementBoard ReportingStakeholder Engagement