Job Purpose

We are looking for a Legal Counsel reporting directly to the Legal & Compliance Director Africa & Middle East. This is a Local role, based in Midrand, JHB.

You will act as the lead advisor to the Retail and Otraco side of the organisation which comprises of the Super Quick Franchises located in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. You will also act as lead advisor to Otraco SA and Otraco Midlle East & Africa… In addition, you will be the POPIA Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for BSAF Holdings and all its South Africa based subsidiaries. You will also be the Company Secretarial for the Retail and Otraco Entities

Responsibilities:

• Duties involve providing general (rather than specialist) legal services and advice in respect of general business issues but will include amongst others legal compliance;
• Acting as a business partner by applying combined business and legal judgment to proposed deals, relationships and other issues requiring legal or compliance attention;
• Drafting, reviewing and supporting negotiation of business agreements and transactions such as (but not limited to) customer sales contracts, strategic alliance agreements, public tenders, franchise agreements, distribution agreements, software developments and licensing agreements;
• Providing hands on legal advice on regulatory, privacy, competition and advertising/promotional matters - in conjunction with the regulatory experts in the Bridgestone legal team;
• Proactively participate in global initiatives and in global practice groups;
• Leading dispute resolution and litigation within the retail side of the business;
• Managing outside counsel, when brought in to assist, along with relevant budget and legal spend;
• Managing the intellectual property portfolio of the franchise business (renewals and new trademark registrations) with the assistance of external counsel, which will involve managing any litigation in protection of the intellectual property;
• Driving legal and compliance projects (including trainings) in strict coordination with and following the guidance of the Lead Counsel & Compliance to improve efficiency and business responsibility, including using influencing skills to achieve buy-in from all levels of the business; and

• Advising the business on all legal matters amongst others listed below and drive solutions:

• POPIA compliance
• Company Secretarial for all Retail and Otraco entities
• Intellectual Property,
• Labour,
• Industrial relations,
• Competition,
• Commercial,
• Retail EXCO
• Retail Projects

Requirements:

• LLB or B com Law;

• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate to the High Court

• At least 5 years PQE;

• Experience in 3 or more African counties will be an added advantage.